Fixtures weekend 20/23rd Feb

[Nesta99]

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets. I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction. If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.I actually think that suspended bans are effective and a middle ground. But be prepared to actually implement a ban for any infraction. It has everyone on tenterhooks, fan self police, players and management start influencing with stroking ultras egos with best fans in the league, we need their support, comments. Clubs up their game with security and apply ground regs. Make the supension severe like for 2 seasons and a serious fine. If you significantly fine host clubs away fans can do stuff to activate fines so something has to happen to prevent that thinking. I would go as far as any ban, suspened or not, including a ban on a next qualification for Europe. If an issue happens in a cup game its ejection from that competition. It needs to hit fans, yes there is collateral damage, but it is what it is until the message gets through. The English self imposed (or government) ban on clubs playing in Europe helped clean up English football at all clubs in 5 years (along with Taylor Report on grounds), crowd problem on a major scale across every club.

[Nesta99]

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets. I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction. If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.Its not at all dramatic. We have often commented on the potential for a fan getting badly injured by flares and it has now happened. If I were that family Id be suing the FAI for including flares in promotional material when its against their regulations. Along with club fo not dealing with fans and then the fans themselves as its is all negligence. If we cannot say that a fan wont be badly injured or even a death, as a result of fans misbehaviour, including stabbing, beating the sh1t out of someone etc. then it is not dramatic, it is something we have in the back of the minds just hoping that it wont happen. Which it will evetually if there isnt proper intervention now. Its just a matter of time. This Dundalk Drogheda ultra thing has had tit for tat escalation already happening. Tbh I dont get it, its a younger Dundalk fan things. The rivalry with Drogheda would be a bit like Shels ultras reacting to UCD, geographical proximity but its not that much of a sporting rivalry when 1 heavily dominates bar occasionally. These Dundalk ultras should be laughing at the idea of a rivalry. It would annoy F45 an awful lot more than engaging with them.

[oriel]

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets.

I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction.

If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.


There was a report that a Waterford female fan was punched in the face after attending last Friday's match in Drogheda, while walking past the home end going to the away bus. This lot are getting out of hand, and they have only played 3 games.

[Nesta99]

Do we have a police force that these things get reported to. Are they as passive as it seems at face value. I have wondered what they actually do in grounds bar watch the game. When something happens you rarely see a move toward the problem. What is their role, or the legal status of arresting people at a game. Is it that laws are inadaquate. Like pitch incusions, maybe that isnt a legal offence, maybe flares aint either so on what grounds can people be prosecuted bar endangerment stuff which have pretty high bars of burden of proof?

[2 Year Contract]

Do we have a police force that these things get reported to. Are they as passive as it seems at face value. I have wondered what they actually do in grounds bar watch the game. When something happens you rarely see a move toward the problem. What is their role, or the legal status of arresting people at a game. Is it that laws are inadaquate. Like pitch incusions, maybe that isnt a legal offence, maybe flares aint either so on what grounds can people be prosecuted bar endangerment stuff which have pretty high bars of burden of proof?Article on the assault on the female Waterford fan last week below. Not only did she report it to Gardai, but their response was to villainise her! Absolutely pathetic from Drogheda Gardai and should be investigated further.https://x.com/betweenstripes/status/2025606841485738204?s=46Drogheda United really should be due a stadium closure for several home games to honest, far too many incidents have gone on and banning fans from attending a few home games might just force their absolutely useless owners to do something about the huge problem they have within their support

[Kiki Balboa]

Article on the assault on the female Waterford fan last week below. Not only did she report it to Gardai, but their response was to villainise her! Absolutely pathetic from Drogheda Gardai and should be investigated further.https://x.com/betweenstripes/status/2025606841485738204?s=46Drogheda United really should be due a stadium closure for several home games to honest, far too many incidents have gone on and banning fans from attending a few home games might just force their absolutely useless owners to do something about the huge problem they have within their support

Not to change the subject too much... But getting the Gardai to do anything for any crime is a losing battle.

Kind of lucky people are not so bad in general in the country, because the last thing a Garda wants to do is their job.

[ger121]

Got to say it really seems that violence at the grounds is on the rise. Reminds me of 20+ years ago. The irony is the Aviva games with bigger crowds and fans mixing before and during the games seem to be just fine. Maybe it is time to punish offending clubs with early Sunday kickoffs and bans on away fans. Not fair on the away fans but too many scumbags causing havoc on a Friday night under the cover of darkness.

[Nesta99]

So Drew Harris was right to try to move people about, break up cliques, change rosters and try to develop a different ethic? I typed Hugh Ord first but copped it before posting, bit where tf did that come from!!

[Kiki Balboa]

Listening the Minister of Sport, seems Droghedas actions made LOI as a whole less attractive for Government funding.

[ontheotherhand]

Listening the Minister of Sport, seems Droghedas actions made LOI as a whole less attractive for Government funding.

No point funding facilities if toerags are gonna toerag.

The premeditated nature of the damage combined with the online gloating afterwards is despicable tbh. Add in the fact that the group is organised and well known makes it worse. Comparing it to one dope letting off a firework down in Waterford and being soundly called out by other fans is nonsense. This is a whole different level. The entire ultras group should be banned. It's a shame as some of the displays they do are great. They've really made a show of themselves here though.

[Roones26]

Listening the Minister of Sport, seems Droghedas actions made LOI as a whole less attractive for Government funding.

Honestly how could you fault that view ? He was literally there to open the new pitch that night and it was wrecked. Our own worst enemy sometimes

[Kiki Balboa]

No point funding facilities if toerags are gonna toerag.

The premeditated nature of the damage combined with the online gloating afterwards is despicable tbh. Add in the fact that the group is organised and well known makes it worse. Comparing it to one dope letting off a firework down in Waterford and being soundly called out by other fans is nonsense. This is a whole different level. The entire ultras group should be banned. It's a shame as some of the displays they do are great. They've really made a show of themselves here though.

The Atmosphere in LOI for me its the main selling point, but it lies in a kind of grey area.

But unfortunately, its the slowest amoung us that takes it too far, and ruins it for everyone.

[Mr_Parker]

Not to change the subject too much... But getting the Gardai to do anything for any crime is a losing battle.

Kind of lucky people are not so bad in general in the country, because the last thing a Garda wants to do is their job.

I doubt it is different in the LOI as it is in the NIFL were if police are required to operate inside a ground then not only do the club need to pay for the service but the police could require complete control of the ground at costs clubs could not afford.

For the Garda to take any criminal action, they firstly need to identify the offender. That is not an easy task. The legal bar for that is set very high. A grainy bit of cctv footage through smoke and high intensity light showing numerous people all dressed in black and masked up will not suffice.

[Kiki Balboa]

I doubt it is different in the LOI as it is in the NIFL were if police are required to operate inside a ground then not only do the club need to pay for the service but the police could require complete control of the ground at costs clubs could not afford.

For the Garda to take any criminal action, they firstly need to identify the offender. That is not an easy task. The legal bar for that is set very high. A grainy bit of cctv footage through smoke and high intensity light showing numerous people all dressed in black and masked up will not suffice.

Im no expert on Guards, or the dynamics with LOI clubs, so maybe I shouldn't be speaking.

I just know getting them out to you know, solve crime can be quite difficult.

Local GAA club here was scammed out of 1000s by lads who forced the groundsman to let them tarmac their car park under threat of violence (of course it was just dumped). Guards just said they shouldn't have paid and left it. Lots of people around here have similar kind of stories.

[dundalkfc10]

No point funding facilities if toerags are gonna toerag.

The premeditated nature of the damage combined with the online gloating afterwards is despicable tbh. Add in the fact that the group is organised and well known makes it worse. Comparing it to one dope letting off a firework down in Waterford and being soundly called out by other fans is nonsense. This is a whole different level. The entire ultras group should be banned. It's a shame as some of the displays they do are great. They've really made a show of themselves here though.

Yeh the F45 lads need to be banned for a while from United Park and away games. It's the only way the message will get across. The fact they put a video up Sat morning laughing about the incident and the week of the game numerous of the groups own social media pages were saying they would do it

I've actually met these lads in Mother Hughes before a game a few years ago when I was in Drogheda early for a game, and most of them were 100% and had the craic with them but actions like this must have consequences

As a lot of them have personal relationships with J Byrne I doubt they will ban them imo

[TVFBLOCKF]

The guards have been absolutely useless in Galway in relation to a number of incidents in Woodquay and the ground in recent years. Rather than diffusing situations, they have actively made them worse or just seem to let things happen before intervening at the last minute. It would be very easy to control what are usually relatively small and isolated incidents with basic crowd control practice but this seems to be alien to them. A couple of innocent bystanders were very lucky to not be seriously injured by pyro and a full can of beer being thrown and just missing their heads by inches. All while the guards watched on.

[ontheotherhand]

The Atmosphere in LOI for me its the main selling point, but it lies in a kind of grey area.

But unfortunately, its the slowest amoung us that takes it too far, and ruins it for everyone.

That's it. It's not just making the league look bad, it's putting our ability to keep the atmosphere we love that is helping to attract fans at risk. We were getting away with flares etc. These muppets are laughing away in the meantime.

[Buckett]

Every club should have a high fence between away fans and the pitch. Most supporters are fine but there's always a few that have the potential to let the side down.
Also, imo, if a supporter decides to cover his face with a balaclava or scarf, stewards and guards should view this as a threat to public safety and be entitled to kick the shyte of them

[dundalkfc10]

Every club should have a high fence between away fans and the pitch. Most supporters are fine but there's always a few that have the potential to let the side down.
Also, imo, if a supporter decides to cover his face with a balaclava or scarf, stewards and guards should view this as a threat to public safety and be entitled to kick the shyte of them

You have clearly never been in many grounds when it's freezing cold if you think using a scarf for warmt on your face is a problem, its all you can do to stop your cheeks from freezing over. It's nearly March and I'm dreading how cold it's going to be in Tallaght later and it's not even a cold day out

[ontheotherhand]

You have clearly never been in many grounds when it's freezing cold if you think using a scarf for warmt on your face is a problem, its all you can do to stop your cheeks from freezing over. It's nearly March and I'm dreading how cold it's going to be in Tallaght later and it's not even a cold day out

Sure bring a few flares to warm yourself up.

[Nesta99]

I doubt it is different in the LOI as it is in the NIFL were if police are required to operate inside a ground then not only do the club need to pay for the service but the police could require complete control of the ground at costs clubs could not afford.For the Garda to take any criminal action, they firstly need to identify the offender. That is not an easy task. The legal bar for that is set very high. A grainy bit of cctv footage through smoke and high intensity light showing numerous people all dressed in black and masked up will not suffice.This is it! Why you want Gardai who were standing watching in proximity to act and grab at least a few of the culprits. There are numerou accounts from local residents that Gardaí stood and watched these scumbags divide out and conceal the flares before entering the ground. Can the confiscate these items, I dont know if the law exists to do so, but they could have had some cop on and tipped off security!! Once in the ground identifying individuals to charge etc is going to be hard to mae stick in court if there is any doubt as to who was responsible with many, dressed the same...it means it must be dealt with through football association itself and a collective responsibility attitue taken so group bans, BCD games and so on. I dont like that the minister is taking a wider perspective, has another grant funded facility in the league been severely vandalised? If grounds were properly funded and developed facilities its makes it a lot easier to prevent crowd problems, proper turnstyles, cctv, distances from pitch and the like. I still am not sure the penny has dropped for a lot of Droghea fan that were laughing at this, especially the ones that are not F45. I still havent seen more than a few speak out. MeathDrog here, Deputy Drog on Orielweb, a few on various FB pages but the amount that havent revised their perspective in the cold light of day is still concerning. Doubling down - I hope it is jut pride and that they are quietly quite worried about the ramifications. But its not regret at what happened its worry about what may happen and I think its an important ditinction in the grander scheme of things. We shouldnt be ok with wanton scumbaggery just in case of consequences - failings of societal attitude, basic decency!

[outspoken]

Yeh the F45 lads need to be banned for a while from United Park and away games. It's the only way the message will get across. The fact they put a video up Sat morning laughing about the incident and the week of the game numerous of the groups own social media pages were saying they would do it

I've actually met these lads in Mother Hughes before a game a few years ago when I was in Drogheda early for a game, and most of them were 100% and had the craic with them but actions like this must have consequences

As a lot of them have personal relationships with J Byrne I doubt they will ban them imo

There was a cosy little meeting held after Oriel brawl in 2024 with a few token bans handed out so I'd share your concerns that feck all will be done this time around

[Kiki Balboa]

This is it! Why you want Gardai who were standing watching in proximity to act and grab at least a few of the culprits. There are numerou accounts from local residents that Gardaí stood and watched these scumbags divide out and conceal the flares before entering the ground. Can the confiscate these items, I dont know if the law exists to do so, but they could have had some cop on and tipped off security!! Once in the ground identifying individuals to charge etc is going to be hard to mae stick in court if there is any doubt as to who was responsible with many, dressed the same...it means it must be dealt with through football association itself and a collective responsibility attitue taken so group bans, BCD games and so on. I dont like that the minister is taking a wider perspective, has another grant funded facility in the league been severely vandalised? If grounds were properly funded and developed facilities its makes it a lot easier to prevent crowd problems, proper turnstyles, cctv, distances from pitch and the like. I still am not sure the penny has dropped for a lot of Droghea fan that were laughing at this, especially the ones that are not F45. I still havent seen more than a few speak out. MeathDrog here, Deputy Drog on Orielweb, a few on various FB pages but the amount that havent revised their perspective in the cold light of day is still concerning. Doubling down - I hope it is jut pride and that they are quietly quite worried about the ramifications. But its not regret at what happened its worry about what may happen and I think its an important ditinction in the grander scheme of things. We shouldnt be ok with wanton scumbaggery just in case of consequences - failings of societal attitude, basic decency!

Just so you are aware Nesta, your inbox is too full to respond to DMs

[2 Year Contract]

Absolute howler from McGinty. Dundalk created very little but get their rewards for staying in the game right till the end

[Dermobohs]

Created very little? Loads of chances, admittedly poorly executed for the most part but easily gaining parity. Rovers were apart from a twenty minute spell poor enough.
Can see why you wanted Mulraney gone though.

[Shinkicker]

I only saw the last 30 minutes and Dundalk looked good value for their draw. McGinty was terrible for the cross

[Nesta99]

Helps sooth the dropping of points late on by pick up 1 in similar fashion. There is a fight and resilience to this Dundalk side. I think we'd have taken 3 points from 3 games (unbeaten) when you include Derry and Rovers, derby game too which is never easy. The gap in ability iwas very apparent tonight but all you can do is limit stronger opposition and hope to nick a goal. 1st half it looked a matter of time before the rearguard conceeded a couple. 2nd half better. Not convinced it was a straight red, 2nd yellow, same result on the night but less suspended games. If there was a doubt ref could and should have given yellow knowing Leonard was on 1 already.

[culloty82]

Good to see Teahan appears to be making an impression, if being promoted to the starting XI's any indication, granted rotation must also have entered the equation there.

[2 Year Contract]

Created very little? Loads of chances, admittedly poorly executed for the most part but easily gaining parity. Rovers were apart from a twenty minute spell poor enough.Can see why you wanted Mulraney gone though.Brain fart on my behalf! I was meant to say Rovers created very little (in terms of what would’ve been expected of them in a game like this) and Dundalk got their rewards for sticking in the game after the red, which is when rovers should’ve killed the game off given the numerical advantage. Kearns had a much quieter night than he’d have expected.Yeah I can’t see Mulraney lasting too long if he carries on the way he’s started life at rovers (granted it’s still very early days) when you look at the other options in that squad

[Kiki Balboa]

Good to see Teahan appears to be making an impression, if being promoted to the starting XI's any indication, granted rotation must also have entered the equation there.

He is pretty highly regarded in Oriel. Surprised if he doesn't nail the starter position by the end of the year.

Delighted with that result. 5 changes made from Drogheda as well, so there is depth to that squad.

Also, the red card is ridiculous, Greene is going away from goal, and is miles out and there is another defender there. No way a definite goalscoring opportunity. Its 100% a second yellow, so doesnt effect the match, but still a terrible call.

Rovers looked very good in patches.

[sbgawa]

Two points thrown away but dundalk look decent emough and means the fightbatbthe bottom will stay interesting

[Roones26]

Dundalk looked better than I was expecting they had any right to and if they keep playing like that they will be alright. Rovers will want to be much more clinical and should have made the advantage of an extra man pay particularly at the level they’ll hope to be operating at in Europe.

Yes the goal was a bit of a clanger but hardly underserved or against the run of play

[dundalkfc10]

He is pretty highly regarded in Oriel. Surprised if he doesn't nail the starter position by the end of the year.

Delighted with that result. 5 changes made from Drogheda as well, so there is depth to that squad.

Also, the red card is ridiculous, Greene is going away from goal, and is miles out and there is another defender there. No way a definite goalscoring opportunity. Its 100% a second yellow, so doesnt effect the match, but still a terrible call.

Rovers looked very good in patches.

Agree on the red card but as someone just said on the bus there on way home, as it is never a red card Dundalk may appeal it and he might get away with no suspension

[ontheotherhand]

We were awful. So many misplaced passes and errors. Dundalk were much better than I'd expected and deserved their point. Tbh, in the second half they should've already been level. Some tidy players there and good options off the bench.

Didn't think it was a straight red but he was gone either way.

[oriel]

I was worried about this game, back in PD with such a big change of players, the Fri / Mon (and will be plenty more) will stretch any squad, then the obvious stress of last Fri night.

First half mostly Rovers, but def thought second half we were better side, and deserved that point, delighted with the nights work, really decent away following too for a Mon night, must been 500-600.

[Roones26]

4352 per FAI Connect. Not bad for a Monday night

[Nesta99]

At one point the score on the creen said 5-0, got a bit of a fright in what the hell have I missed. Was then set back to 1-0.Any flares set off when Dundalk cored?

[Slartibartfast]

I was in drogheda end on Friday night and I find it crazy that a lot of fans seem to turn in to lunatics when it comes to dundalk ! Our ultras have been fairly good the last couple of years but the last 2 weeks have been shameful . They also wrecked 2 portaloo toilets in oriel and there was only 2 toilets there for a sold out away crowd of 500! the whole ultra thing has good and bad sides but the loi as a whole seems to have a major problem with these flares it is seen way to often I can think of many times like a linesman getting hit a couple of times by away fans in drogheda and werent dundalk fans burning cobhs plastic pitch last year with flares ? Cup finals other big games have problems too. pitches can be fixed but when children are getting burned something has to be done

[timothydec77]

I was in drogheda end on Friday night and I find it crazy that a lot of fans seem to turn in to lunatics when it comes to dundalk ! Our ultras have been fairly good the last couple of years but the last 2 weeks have been shameful . They also wrecked 2 portaloo toilets in oriel and there was only 2 toilets there for a sold out away crowd of 500! the whole ultra thing has good and bad sides but the loi as a whole seems to have a major problem with these flares it is seen way to often I can think of many times like a linesman getting hit a couple of times by away fans in drogheda and werent dundalk fans burning cobhs plastic pitch last year with flares ? Cup finals other big games have problems too. pitches can be fixed but when children are getting burned something has to be done

I agree with what you said.

I find going to away games in the league an unpleasant experience.

I re

[timothydec77]

I was in drogheda end on Friday night and I find it crazy that a lot of fans seem to turn in to lunatics when it comes to dundalk ! Our ultras have been fairly good the last couple of years but the last 2 weeks have been shameful . They also wrecked 2 portaloo toilets in oriel and there was only 2 toilets there for a sold out away crowd of 500! the whole ultra thing has good and bad sides but the loi as a whole seems to have a major problem with these flares it is seen way to often I can think of many times like a linesman getting hit a couple of times by away fans in drogheda and werent dundalk fans burning cobhs plastic pitch last year with flares ? Cup finals other big games have problems too. pitches can be fixed but when children are getting burned something has to be done

I agree with what you said.

There is no safe way for flares to be managed. It is time for the league to get past this crutch.

It would be easier to give the firefighters flares to use on the pitch. They at least wouldn't panic and would know how to put it out.

Damaging another clubs property on purpose does not reflect well on the league.

[outspoken]

I was in drogheda end on Friday night and I find it crazy that a lot of fans seem to turn in to lunatics when it comes to dundalk ! Our ultras have been fairly good the last couple of years but the last 2 weeks have been shameful . They also wrecked 2 portaloo toilets in oriel and there was only 2 toilets there for a sold out away crowd of 500! the whole ultra thing has good and bad sides but the loi as a whole seems to have a major problem with these flares it is seen way to often I can think of many times like a linesman getting hit a couple of times by away fans in drogheda and werent dundalk fans burning cobhs plastic pitch last year with flares ? Cup finals other big games have problems too. pitches can be fixed but when children are getting burned something has to be doneExactly why whataboutaery about oriel facilities is bullcrap. If Dundalk had opened a brand new block of toilers friday they'd have been smashed to bits. Utter scumbags who were dragged up by the knuckles.

[legendz]

SPORTS MINISTER PATRICK O’Donovan has said he was “disappointed that it took my intervention” for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to attend a Joint Oireachtas Committee last year.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UVReYdGLT/
SPORTS MINISTER PATRICK O’Donovan seemed to enjoy seeing himself on TV when the LoI budget was announced.

His recent comments about pausing all astroturf investments into the League of Ireland are comments from a politician who needs to rein his neck in. FAI were an easy target to come out with a hissy fit in being able to demand they appear before the Oireachtas committee. His recent comments are a complete over reaction. Embarrassing for himself.

[mcgonigle]

Great point last night, fully deserved. We were poor in the first half, lucky to be just one down. Second half we were excellent and the better team. Still scratching my head how Arubi missed from two yards and then when Leonard was sent off it looked over and a missed opportunity. But there is something about this group. Kilduff is becoming a top manager and I'm already worried about holding onto him.

A word on the ref, and I know we all love blaming them but he was dreadful. Rovers had 19 fouls to our 13 yet we had 7 cards to their 1, mind boggling. He even ballsed up the sending off, it was a second yellow and he had to go but giving him a straight red is just incompetence. The lino on our side was equally bad, not a clue what he was doing.

Anyway 33 more draws and we should be safe.

[nigel-harps1954]

SPORTS MINISTER PATRICK O’Donovan has said he was “disappointed that it took my intervention” for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to attend a Joint Oireachtas Committee last year.https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UVReYdGLT/SPORTS MINISTER PATRICK O’Donovan seemed to enjoy seeing himself on TV when the LoI budget was announced.His recent comments about pausing all astroturf investments into the League of Ireland are comments from a politician who needs to rein his neck in. FAI were an easy target to come out with a hissy fit in being able to demand they appear before the Oireachtas committee. His recent comments are a complete over reaction. Embarrassing for himself.Honestly think the minister was bang on with his comments and pausing funding, and I think he could have even gone a step further and paused more than just astroturf funding. There needs to be a properly hard line taken with this. Flares are an utter scourge on our league. Dundalk are being slapped with a massive repair bill, Drogheda release a half a statement that brushes matters under the carpet, "if we identify these lads they'll be banned", which is a cop out. Same lads will be back at games this weekend, no punishment dished out, and the only ones harmed by this are Dundalk, and the reputational damage to the league done as a result. FAI have disappeared in the midst of it all and haven't taken charge of the situation whatsoever. It's been a dreadful week for the league and nobody is taking any responsibility.

[Roones26]

Honestly think the minister was bang on with his comments and pausing funding, and I think he could have even gone a step further and paused more than just astroturf funding. There needs to be a properly hard line taken with this. Flares are an utter scourge on our league. Dundalk are being slapped with a massive repair bill, Drogheda release a half a statement that brushes matters under the carpet, "if we identify these lads they'll be banned", which is a cop out. Same lads will be back at games this weekend, no punishment dished out, and the only ones harmed by this are Dundalk, and the reputational damage to the league done as a result. FAI have disappeared in the midst of it all and haven't taken charge of the situation whatsoever. It's been a dreadful week for the league and nobody is taking any responsibility.

I think I’m significantly closer to Nigel’s views than much of the commentary I’ve seen around this. Anyone paying attention would know that this particular minister has a habit for taking a hard line an this is seen in his approach to the Arts Council and RTE as well so I think anyone in the know would say he would be punchy on the league of Ireland.

I’ve seen a huge amount of victim complex commentary around this on social media and Reddit that other sporting bodies would let be punished like or the response wouldn’t be as dramatic. But I think fans have to reckon here with the fact that a holy show was made of the league by the people who would claim to love it the most and that justified or not, it was the fans who allowed the league to be put in a position where they would be subject to collective punishment. I don’t think it’s cause the minster is a GAA man and that suggestion has driven me round the bend.

I don’t think the ministers actions are wildly out of proportion or what the vast majority of the population would think. Equally I think if the FAI and League get their house in order I wouldn’t need to think it’s long lasting. What do people expect was going to happen when a piece of infrastructure the state has invested in was on fire before it was even used ?

Often times what’s wrong with the league feels out of the control of the fans, well in this instance it was entirely within their control and on the night when a government minister was in attendance to open a new pitch, the destroyed it. There needs to be an acceptance of some accountability here

[Roones26]

"The chair of Drogheda United, Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne, declined to respond to questions about the incident. She declined to say whether she witnessed Drogheda supporters throwing flares onto the field or if she would help gardai with their inquiries. Byrne was present for the ribbon cutting by the Minister before the game.Sinn Féin said she would not be commenting." This is without a doubt a desperate response like you cant enjoy the fruits of being chair of the club when its politically advantageous and then hide when real leadership is required

[sbgawa]

"The chair of Drogheda United, Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne, declined to respond to questions about the incident. She declined to say whether she witnessed Drogheda supporters throwing flares onto the field or if she would help gardai with their inquiries. Byrne was present for the ribbon cutting by the Minister before the game.Sinn Féin said she would not be commenting." This is without a doubt a desperate response like you cant enjoy the fruits of being chair of the club when its politically advantageous and then hide when real leadership is required100% right on her,On the Minister, the Taxpayer paid for most of the pitch and its being burned in front of him so i cant blame him for his response.Its Dundalk not the taxpayer who will have the repair bill so its probably a little unfair but at the same time if him making a point results in less crimnal damage hes probably doing all clubs a long term positive..

[Nesta99]

Byrne ha been silenced by her poilitical party. She is assoiated closely by people who behave with indifference to other peoples safety and welfare. Something they fear becoming a discussion point considering their history, and the Byrne could continue to land herself in it.

[Slartibartfast]

calm down there lad she has responded

[Dermobohs]

Byrne ha been silenced by her poilitical party. She is assoiated closely by people who behave with indifference to other peoples safety and welfare. Something they fear becoming a discussion point considering their history, and the Byrne could continue to land herself in it.
Bull****. FFG nonsense.
She’s a drogs fan, she probably knows a huge amount of fans who were present, and is being extremely foolish in thinking they can ignore this away.
Dundalk I feel sorry for, ridiculous that they foot the bill, FAI should have stepped in, issued a 70k fine to drogs and put them on a ground closure notice that going forward flares are banned in their support.