Tonights Game

[WeAreRovers]

All the trouble last night was down to Dundalk fans, the exact same thinmg that happened lat time. About 200 little scrots left the game early to wait for the Rovers fans - top marks to the cops for having zero cop on - as soon as the Rovers fans left they were attacked by the Dundalk fans at the garage.

Dundalk is a scummy club in a scummy town. Our cameraman was manhandled and jostled in the main stand and had to leave after the stewards refused to protect him. TV3 also had to leave for safety reasons. Dundalk told them they couldn't guarantee their security.

What a disgrace. And will Dundalk be fined for any of this? Of course not. Also our chairman, another director and one of our greatest ever players - a man recognisable to any LOI fan - were refused entry to main stand fo no reason.

As the neutrals on this thread who were at the game have pointed out, the problem lies with Dundalk, I sincerely hope that we don't have to travel to that almighty kip for a long time.

KOH

[harpskid]

As a neutral at the game last night, I have to say that Rovers were not totally blameless in the disgraceful scenes outside last night!

While Dundalk 'fans' - and I use the term very, very loosely - were largely to blame, they were not totally to blame. But, no doubt wee innocent Rovers fans cannot have any blame attached whatsoever.

The stewards in Oriel are pathetic anyway - the bloke at the main gate tried to direct me into the Rovers section last night and gave me a **** load of hassle when I tried using the Harps jacket as proof that I wasn't a Rovers fan!

[harpskid]

Our cameraman was manhandled and jostled in the main stand and had to leave after the stewards refused to protect him. TV3 also had to leave for safety reasons. Dundalk told them they couldn't guarantee their security.

Yeah I noticed that alright. Absolutely disgraceful to be honest!

[NY Hoop]

Just back from the game myself - not sure how many the stand holds but I'd have estimated about 2500 at the game. It wasn't the best game as the wind ruined it, Dundalk were well in control before the lights went out. Shocking marking for their lead goal. Once the teams came back on Rovers were more composed but and were getting on top towards the end of the half.
Rovers equalised with about 20 mins to go, a screamer from Chris Breen, he looked about 30 yards offside but it was a long ball forward so was probably on when it was played as the linesman was in line and would've had a perfect view. There didn't seem to be any complaints from Dundalk either. Rovers looked more likely to grab a winner but with the wind Dundalk were playing into it was very tough for them to create any chances.

With 5 minutes to go about 200 of the teen drinkers from Dundalk left the terrace to wait for the Rovers fans outside, obviously not too concerned whether there was a late goal or not, or perhaps it was bed time because of the delay. In any case when I came out I saw a few bottles being thrown at the Rovers fans from the Dundalk kids in the garage. The Gardai then held back to Rovers fans and sent the kids home to bed.

The game wasn't the best but a good result for United - a win tomorrow and the top 3 all have 50 points to make for a fascinating run-in!

Spot on. And JC is meant to be a neutral though he's obviously there to see Rovers!

And Dundalk fan or official care to answer the following?

1. Why were our directors not allowed into the stand?

2. Why was our cameraman plus TV3 not guaranteed any safety? Isnt that what stewards are for?

3. Why were some of your stewards and club officials abusive towards Rovers fans and officials? Do you think this is the correct way to run a club?

4. Why have you not constucted a temporary gantry where the old one was?

5. Why are home and away fans allowed to use the same entrance and exit when there is a separate lane behind the away terrace?

6. Why do you insist on playing midweek? Have you not realised that league football the world over is a weekend game? Playing on friday would increase your crowd

I feel sorry for the genuine Dundalk fans who have to put up with this crap and it looks like your new owner has the same motives as the guy who has taken over Peterborough and if you dont know what that is God help you.

Anybody coming there last night for the first time would not go back if their safety is not guaranteed.

Hand on heart hope we never have to go up there again for a very long time. But when we do the same will happen again no doubt.


KOH

[holidaysong]

If the Gardaí and stewards had to make sure that the Rovers fans were kept back for 20 minutes then this wouldn't have happened. Simple as that. The kids outside could have been moved on and the Rovers fans could have exited in safety. A complete shambles! Couldn't believe it when the riot police jumped out of the paddy wagons. The Gardaí were definately better prepared than last time but it was all ruined by letting both set of supporters exit at the same time. It is sickening to have your club and town name tarnished by the wee scum that turn up twice a season.

[Fingal hoop]

thats a fair point Holidaysong

The police are idiots. How they can let this crap happen is beyond me.Outside the ground could have got really bad if people responded to provacation.
The police should have kept one set of supporters in.Thats the long and short of it.One blamed me for being a "target" for the bottles

[Cosmo]

but why is it everywhere rovers go they cause trouble?

We've never had any bother with rovers supporters!

I was in the rovers end lastnight and must say that they were totally blameless!!

[BohsFans]

Spot on. And JC is meant to be a neutral though he's obviously there to see Rovers!

And Dundalk fan or official care to answer the following?

1. Why were our directors not allowed into the stand?

2. Why was our cameraman plus TV3 not guaranteed any safety? Isnt that what stewards are for?

1. Would you let a convicted football hooligan into your main stand? oh wait now....

2. Guaranteed safety? What did they need protection from?

People moan about TV3 not covering games and then when they actually turn up they're forced to leave? FFS!

[BohsFans]

According to their stewards "a well known local lunatic"

sounds like Dundalkkkk alright

Shanty town.

[manic da hoop]

1. Would you let a convicted football hooligan into your main stand? oh wait now....

[BohsFans]

Dave Carpenter

[manic da hoop]

Incorrect!

Aside from the fact that he was not among the directors refused entry to the stand, the individual you mentioned has never been convicted of any offence. Let's no get distracted from the issue here. John Gill has recently been complaining about how his club has effectively already been excluded from next year's Premier League, regardless of how his team finishes this season. Before he goes on about it further I would strongly advise him to take a long hard look at the shoddy and unprofessional way his employers run their business. It might explain a few things to him.

In their present state Dundalk FC simply do not have the credentials to compete at a higher level in Irish football, no matter how good their team is.

[Conor H]

but why is it everywhere rovers go they cause trouble?

Totally disagree!!
When Rovers were down here in June we had a great time before,during and after the match with them.They're spot on(have a few tools like most aswell though) and can't wait for 2 weeks to have them down here again.Last timee in Terryland Rovers fans stayed behind for a few minutes no problem then walked the Dyke road with other GUFC fans back to Eyre Square.im sure if they had been pelted with rocks that night there would have been trouble aswell-but they wern't.Dundalk should look at the problem-they may not have been fans who threw rocks but it happened in the vacinity of Oriel.

Also i love they way people blame the Gardai.Maybe it's the yobs who thrwo the stones who are to blame!

[Dave drummerboy]

Right after reading all of the last three pages . I was late leaving th ground as we were still singing to the team after the game . i ran around to the front to see what was happening , dundalk scum on garage side which seem to be all kids of 16 under and a few older not supporters there scum . Now we played harps and we didnt have this scum up they arrive when rovers come or bohs or drogs . I seen a lot of dundalk fans being chased down the road with some rover who were all having a go at each other . Then noticed 150 ish rovers across the road . At this piont i stood beside stewards that i new some rovers fan a man of at least 35 plus of age decicded to have a go at stewards complaining they werent down helping the riot police stewards gave som guff back and all i said was mate are you haveing a ****ing laugh . Didnt think after saying that , that he would go for me .All in all it was a decent game there was 3500 ish at game that official . pity about the scum outside but what can the club do about that .

[Frankfurt Hoop]

FAO Harpskid:

Check your PMs!

[pineapple stu]

The stewards in Oriel are pathetic anyway

Seconded - I remember them standing by and watching as a few kids ran onto the pitch at half-time and robbed the balls off the UCD subs, who were warming up at the time. At the end of the game, a bin was thrown onto the pitch, again with no repercussions.

That said, their lax attitude did extend to us drinking openly in the ground...

[mypost]

Why do you insist on playing midweek? Have you not realised that league football the world over is a weekend game? Playing on friday would increase your crowd

So why are there no almost no away fans at Tolka when we play on Friday nights??

People go to work/school from Monday to Friday, and there is for most, no flexibility in their hours. If football was a weekend game, wouldn't all games be on Saturday and Sunday to boost the crowd?

[NY Hoop]

So why are there no almost no away fans at Tolka when we play on Friday nights??

People go to work/school from Monday to Friday, and there is for most, no flexibility in their hours. If football was a weekend game, wouldn't all games be on Saturday and Sunday to boost the crowd?

Dont be so pedantic. You know what I mean. Friday night football is considered the norm in this league and for most people is considered the start of the weekend. They should not be allowed to play on thursday night. But after witnessing last night anything to do with that club is a joke.

With a few exceptions there are no away fans in this division. The point is there would have been more Hoops there tonight than last night.

On the stewards issue most stewards in the league are fans with bibs who are given no training and just stand around and do nothing. Case in point last night's intimidation of the cameramen when the stewards should have been ejecting the nutter instead of doing SFA as usual.



KOH

[BohsFans]

Dundalk actually seem to get fined very month/2 months for inadequate security at a home game.

[mypost]

Dont be so pedantic. You know what I mean. Friday night football is considered the norm in this league and for most people is considered the start of the weekend. They should not be allowed to play on thursday night. But after witnessing last night anything to do with that club is a joke.

With a few exceptions there are no away fans in this division.

As a work weekday, Friday night is as difficult to travel to long-distance away games, as any other night of the week, you only have to look at the amount of away fans when we play at home on Fridays to demonstrate that. There are away fans in this league, as Dundalk, Galway, Cobh, Finn Harps, and we show. Play it on a weekend as in most countries, (where few games are played on Fridays), and more will come.

The point is there would have been more Hoops there tonight than last night.

With respect, Dublin is roughly 1 hour from Dundalk. With frequent train and bus services travelling between Dublin and Dundalk before the game, it's not impossible to go if you really want to.