SHAMROCK Rovers supporters had strong words for County Limerick TD and Minister for Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, following his comments after flares were thrown onto the pitch at a League of Ireland (LOI) game recently.
Minister O’Donovan described the throwing of flares onto the pitch at Oriel Park before and during a clash between Dundalk and Drogheda United on February 20 as “reckless endangerment” by “gougers” and “group of hooligans”.
This week, the Fine Gael Minister welcomed the outcome of the FAI’s independent disciplinary committee unit (DCU) which now sees a €15,000 fine for Drogheda United, the highest levy ever for a pyrotechnics incident in the LOI, as well as Drogheda fans being banned from the next four away fixtures and any other fixtures in Dundalk this season.
The FAI has also committed to introducing a number of measures that will ensure significant improvements in safety at LOI matches. These include making CCTV mandatory at all LOI grounds wishing to host league matches, enhanced detection measures at entry points to stadiums, refusal of entry and/or ejection from the stadium if a person is engaging in this activity followed by a stadium ban. Disciplinary actions like full or partial stadium closures and points deductions also remain an option for offences of this nature.
Welcoming the outcome, Minister O’Donovan said: “Let’s not forget that a child was injured here, and it could have been far worse. ”
“I commend the FAI and the LOI for acting swiftly and decisively and I appreciate them taking this matter so seriously. I have instructed full, normal engagement resume between my Department and the FAI together with the League on foot of this significant disciplinary action.”
The Minister’s earlier comments about pausing all astroturf investments into the League of Ireland in the wake of the scenes at Oriel Park have been strongly criticised.
They were seen as a “massive over-reaction” by former St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Barry Murphy.
“I think it’s a massive over-reaction the way the Minister has come out and spoke about that,” he told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue also disagreed with Minister O’Donovan’s earlier suggestion of a collective punishment to withdraw funding for astro-style pitches.
During Shamrock Rovers 3-2 defeat to Bohemians last weekend in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at Dalymount Park, Hoops supporters unfurled a banner relaying a crude message to the Limerick politician, reading: “Patrick O’Donovan – This Is Our Culture – This Is Our Life. Get F***ed.”
In a statement following the FAI’s ruling, Drogheda United insisted that it operates a strict and newly updated zero-tolerance policy at Sullivan and Lambe Park.
“The possession, use, or throwing of pyrotechnics — or any behaviour that endangers others — will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Individuals found to be in breach of stadium regulations will face immediate and severe consequences, including stadium bans and further action where appropriate,” the FAI said.