Fixtures weekend 20/23rd Feb

**Dermobohs** · 27/02/2026, 6:47 AM

Home supporter ban , yes but partiallly, the older heads in the stand should be still ok.
I’d have added a 70k fine and passed it on to Dundalk too.

**Stevie mac** · 27/02/2026, 8:23 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Dan McDonnell has been chirping on about this a good bit. Any idea who it was that recorded the "display?"

It was recorded on the pitch so it was an accredited person from the media. Its shouldn't be too hard to find out who it was.

The fact the famous 4 5 years group put it up on their socials illustrates their guilt ans responsiblly for the action. But wait aren't they being protected by a particular co-chair/TD

**ontheotherhand** · 27/02/2026, 8:29 AM

Originally Posted by Stevie mac

It was recorded on the pitch so it was an accredited person from the media. Its shouldn't be too hard to find out who it was.

The fact the famous 4 5 years group put it up on their socials illustrates their guilt ans responsiblly for the action. But wait aren't they being protected by a particular co-chair/TD

The first part is the thing for me.

Drogs have now brought collective punishment on the league, and the clubs they were due to play away in particular, because they won't single out the famous 45s and send them to the guards. Criminal charges should have been the answer here. This wasn't some random toerags acting out. It was premeditated and bragged about, not to mentioned filmed by someone who is obviously known to the club.

This was a chance to take responsible action and instead, they've circled the wagons and hurt the league as a whole. Outside of the away ban, the image of the league has taken a hit and our ability to create a unique atmosphere, that while not to everyone's taste, is imop a big driver in fan growth.

Sadly this season hasn't even got going and it's getting more bad publicity than anything else. My own club isn't covering itself in glory either.

**legendz** · 27/02/2026, 9:12 AM

Originally Posted by Shinkicker

Drogheda Utds next four way games are Sligo, Pats, Derry and Galway, these clubs have been punished due to the fact they won't fill the away end with home supporters.

A plague on their houses. The minister is pleased.

**Stevie mac** · 27/02/2026, 10:37 AM

https://www.dundalkfc.com/pyros-change-starts-now

Strong statement from Dundalk going forward.

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2026, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

It’ll be a few grand that we’re losing through no fault of our own.

Split the €15k between the impacted clubs - everyone's happy

**legendz** · 27/02/2026, 11:03 AM

Dundalk are to pay for €70k repairs but the fine for the damage is only €15k.

**Glen Of Aherlow** · 27/02/2026, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by legendz

Dundalk are to pay for €70k repairs but the fine for the damage is only €15k.

Dundalk have released statement and say € 70k is not correct , it’s not that much but still substantial

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2026, 11:07 AM

Would it not be covered by insurance?

**Kiki Balboa** · 27/02/2026, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Would it not be covered by insurance?

The cost for Insurance will then skyrocket for Dundalk (and other LOI clubs). You might be better off doing it out of pocket. (Although I have no idea on the costs).

---

I am pretty angry by the fact that Drogheda have not called out the the group involved, and have taken the easy way out by blaming unnamed "individuals".

The F47 unfurled a banner that said "Back once again with the ill behaviour" and threw the flares simultaneously, and then celebrated it online with a video showing the damage.

To pretend its some bad faith individuals is cowardice at the highest level. No one has been banned yet, not even those who publicly celebrated the vandalism online.

Drogheda fans are obsessed at the moment with trying to validate or soften the behaviour.

Ultimately, there is no excuses to not improving Oriel Park, no matter how small or big. But as said elsewhere, if new toilets were installed, they would have been ripped out. Very fustrating.

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2026, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

The cost for Insurance will then skyrocket for Dundalk (and other LOI clubs). You might be better off doing it out of pocket. (Although I have no idea on the costs).

Maybe - but if it goes up for other clubs, then at least Drogheda pay a portion. Or the cost is spread out and it's easier for Dundalk to manage. That's ultimately one of the main points of insurance. Of course in the end, you end up paying the cost through your insurance, but still.

**ontheotherhand** · 27/02/2026, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Maybe - but if it goes up for other clubs, then at least Drogheda pay a portion. Or the cost is spread out and it's easier for Dundalk to manage. That's ultimately one of the main points of insurance. Of course in the end, you end up paying the cost through your insurance, but still.

So Drogs get to hurt other clubs on another front? 😂

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2026, 12:14 PM

Consider it making a contribution of their own!

**Mr_Parker** · 27/02/2026, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by Roones26

"Alongside this record level of sanction, the League of Ireland and the FAI are committed to bolstering our efforts to combat the challenge that pyrotechnics presents at our stadia. This commitment includes:Mandatory Club Licensing requirements from the 2027 League of Ireland Season for adequate CCTV which will assist with the identification of any persons found to be engaging in the illegal use of pyrotechnics.Enhanced detection measures at key entry points to our stadiums such as the use of pyrotechnic detection dogs.Refusal of entry and / or ejection from the stadium if a person is engaging in this activity followed by a stadium ban."Hvaing read the statement I actually think this is more interesting piece - expensive experience for everyone with that i guess everyone will have to invest in CCTV

I previously posted about the ineffectiveness of CCTV when it comes to trying to identify people in such groups to gain enough evidence to take action.

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Shouldn't be all that expensive to put in a few cameras in strategic places around the ground you would think. Good news for pyro detecting dogs also, presumably they're the dogs who aren't good enough to be in the drugs units.

Dogs have a very short working time, approx 20 minutes, and then need a 20 minute break. Then there is the cost which would be considerable. Was considered at one point in the Irish League and dismissed.

**SkStu** · 27/02/2026, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

The cost for Insurance will then skyrocket for Dundalk (and other LOI clubs). You might be better off doing it out of pocket. (Although I have no idea on the costs).

---

I am pretty angry by the fact that Drogheda have not called out the the group involved, and have taken the easy way out by blaming unnamed "individuals".

The F47 unfurled a banner that said "Back once again with the ill behaviour" and threw the flares simultaneously, and then celebrated it online with a video showing the damage.

To pretend its some bad faith individuals is cowardice at the highest level. No one has been banned yet, not even those who publicly celebrated the vandalism online.

Drogheda fans are obsessed at the moment with trying to validate or soften the behaviour.

Ultimately, there is no excuses to not improving Oriel Park, no matter how small or big. But as said elsewhere, if new toilets were installed, they would have been ripped out. Very fustrating.

maybe im just really, really old and uncool now but that is so cringey...

**Nesta99** · 27/02/2026, 5:48 PM

They should be forcibly disbanded for a number of reasons including the banner. So a bunch of fans can state in advance on their social media pages what they have planned, the can then act out the planned scumbaggery, can show videos of their conduct on a commissioned and format on their dedicated social media page and manage not to be mentioned in any of the reports or disciplinary investigations. Are the FAI that meek, Drogheda that beholden to this group or does Byrne really put her neck on the line to protect them. The F45 should have received a specific ban, now they could have gone to games as themselves rather than as a group but the group needed to be held accountable in a significant way. There is no deterrent in this. What will happen now is a daft individual will set off a flare between UCD and Kerry or some other benign pairing and they will have to play BCD. Also how much is it per flare to be fined? Almost 80 flares were counted in the away section in Oriel over two periods, so standard fine + 15k? Drogs officials are breathing deep with relief.

**Kiki Balboa** · 27/02/2026, 5:55 PM

Fair play to Drogheda.

**Nesta99** · 27/02/2026, 6:01 PM

Which is the club doing the right thing by paying for the repairs in Oriel. But imo it still leaves the culprits off scot free and laughing at their good nights work.

**oriel** · 27/02/2026, 6:10 PM

https://droghedaunited.ie/dufc-statement/

Have to say full marks to Drogs and not often I will say that, really fair play by them.

**Longfordian** · 27/02/2026, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Dogs have a very short working time, approx 20 minutes, and then need a 20 minute break. Then there is the cost which would be considerable. Was considered at one point in the Irish League and dismissed.

Much like the guards.