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The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Derry City need to clamp down on yob violence which is a threat to fan safety along with League of Ireland growth
WHEN its most arresting image is of someone sitting on a fence holding what looks like a rocket launcher, it has not been a good weekend for the League of Ireland. The video doing the rounds with a clearly petrified young girl crying out to her daddy, from outside the ground, as 2 Local yobs attacked away fans in this instance Credit: X 2 Carl Winchester looks on after a flare was thrown onto the pitch It is bad enough when facilities in many grounds are not up to scratch without the inherent danger extending beyond rank toilets to the threat of getting caught up in violence. One view of what happened in Derry is a crowd of Dubliners came up looking for trouble, got it and the response that followed might make them think twice about trying that again. And there will not be a huge amount of sympathy for any Bohs supporter who got their comeuppance having decided the best way to spend their time before kick-off was to attack locals. It is difficult to see how they thought it was going to go well for them in an area where people are more accustomed to defending their turf than most. Read More On Irish Football Some reports suggested the fight was pre-arranged, with others claiming it was revenge for an attack on Bohs fans when the Phibsborough club played there earlier in the season. Of course, neither the protagonists on this occasion nor those who sought retribution gave too much thought to the innocent bystanders who could be Former Candystripes captain and manager Peter Hutton warned: 'These ultras or young boys are putting fear into the young supporters who simply want to enjoy the football. "There is no place for it in the game. Parents will now be thinking twice whether it is safe to let their children go to games. Most read in Football 'If these guys are planning trouble in advance and looking to get things into the ground, the club needs to ramp up its security and be aware of this.' Such scenes are, for the most part, rare in our League which is why the attack on St Pat's fans outside a pub in Irishtown prior to the 2021 FAI Cup final against Bohs got so much attention. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star There was also an attack on a pub in Drumcondra prior to the league meeting between But Dublin derbies with the potential for trouble are generally well managed in the immediate vicinity of grounds through segregation and the staggered departure of home and away supporters. That is what happened in Derry on Friday night too, except there was no attempt made to contain the away contingent within the stand, where they had a level of protection, when pictures were already circulating on social media of masked youngsters armed with golf clubs and more lying in wait outside. When they drifted outside to the open area behind the stand and fireworks were propelled in their direction, there was some surprise that there was no obvious effort to get them to shelter and to make their way out safely towards their coaches via the pitch. Much of the local reaction has focused on the initial attack, which is understandable, but there is a wider issue here surrounding the safety of away supporters in Derry which nobody can afford to ignore. STRUGGLE FOR BUSES Some supporters' clubs for away teams no longer run buses for that fixture or, even if they want to, struggle to find companies willing to bring them based on past experience. In April of last year, as happened on Friday, a match against The sight of a young boy entering the pitch to pick it up during the game — which was being broadcast live on television — and running a significant distance with the flare in his hand was not a great advertisement for its stewarding which, uniquely and for obvious reasons, does not have a police presence inside the ground. Unlike on Friday, Rovers supporters were moved to the centre circle after the final whistle in an attempt to keep them out of harm's way. It prompted Derry to move away fans to a different part of the ground when St Pat's came to town 72 hours later. When the PSNI responded to the disturbances at the Rovers game, they were attacked with missiles. As a result of what happened, Derry City were fined €2,000 by an independent disciplinary committee, which also imposed a suspended partial stadium closure although that would only come into force if anything happened at their next home game after their ruling, against Shelbourne. That did not come to pass but Shels had already had their own problems there the previous October when a coach carrying its supporters was bricked as it left the area, with a gofundme page launched to pay the near-€4,000 bill to replace a smashed door window. ATTACK ON ROVERS FANS A month prior to that, Rovers fans had been attacked when coming out of the ground, again, not, it is believed, by anyone who had attended the game. That recurring theme does make it difficult for Derry City, as a club, to address it. After they were sanctioned last year, the club issued a statement accepting the ruling. It added: 'The club condemns the scenes in and around the ground on Friday night and has cooperated fully with the Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI. 'Since the events of last Friday, representatives of the club have met with several statutory agencies to discuss enhanced crowd control measures. 'As a result of continued anti-social behaviour, the club need to take additional measures to ensure that all supporters attending games in the Ryan McBride stadium can enjoy a safe and enjoyable match night experience. "This is highly unfortunate and not a move the club takes lightly. It has, however been forced on the club due to those recent events.' A separate League of Ireland statement said that it 'and the FAI are committed to providing a safe environment for players, officials, staff and spectators at all our fixtures'. UNIQUE BACKDROP But crowd control within a stadium is tough enough without the remit extending beyond its perimeter walls. And the reality is that, no matter how well-intentioned, neither the club nor the FAI can guarantee the safety of away fans — and nor can the PSNI. Clearly, trying to police the area outside The Brandywell is not comparable to any other League of Ireland ground so it is up to those in the Bogside itself. If those with influence have any regard for a club which has made a significant contribution to both the community, and, in its 40 years as a member, the League, they will put an end to this carry-on before its name is tarnished any further. And those travelling north might wise up too and, in a phrase with which Bohs fans will be familiar, 'concentrate on the football'.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Carl Winchester reveals why Derry believe they can still clinch title success
Derry City 1 Bohemians 1 Carl Winchester believes Derry City can still challenge for the title as they prepare for a must-win game at Shamrock Rovers on Sunday, August 3. After Friday's 1-1 draw with Bohemians at the Brandywell – marred by off-pitch violence – the Candystripes are eight points off the League leaders and know a loss in Dublin would end any title hopes.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sunday World
Two injured as Bohs and Derry City fans clash with sticks, bats and iron bars
Videos circulating online show people, some of them with their faces covered, fighting in the street. Carl Winchester of Derry City after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Derry City players Carl Winchester, Sam Todd and Mark Connolly after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Videos circulating online appear to show trouble outside the stadium. Two people were injured after rival fans clashed with sticks, bats and iron bars at last night's match between Bohemians and Derry City. Violent scenes unfolded outside the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry before and after the League of Ireland fixture. Videos circulating online show people, some of them with their faces covered, fighting in the street. Today the PSNI said two people needed hospital treatment. Videos circulating online appear to show trouble outside the stadium. News in 90 Seconds - July 26th Local SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan was at the game, and said he was left frightened by what he had witnessed. Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy, meanwhile, said 'so-called football supporters from Dublin' attacked local people. Police believe the violence was orchestrated. Derry City players Carl Winchester, Sam Todd and Mark Connolly after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile The PSNI said disorder was focused in the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road areas. 'Shortly after 7pm on Friday evening, police were made aware of two large groups of rival football supporters in the area attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars and causing damage to buildings and cars parked in the area. "A teenage boy and a man aged in his 20s sustained injuries as a result of this incident and were taken to hospital for treatment. "Further disorder then occurred in the vicinity of the Brandywell stadium during and after a football match which was taking place. "Officers were in attendance and worked along with stadium staff to bring the disorder under control. No arrests have been made at this time.' Superintendent William Calderwood said: 'We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved.' Speaking today, Mr Durkan condemned the trouble, saying 'thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons.' He said: 'In terms of scale and the level of violence and danger to those in the vicinity, we haven't seen anything like this and I hope we never do again." Mr Durkan said he was late to the match due to an unrelated incident, and arrived to find the stadium 'in lockdown'. He said a bus-load of fans – separate to the organised Bohs travelling support – arrived in the city and caused problems, which continued after the full-time whistle when some locals retaliated. 'A bus-load of people - I wouldn't call them fans - came here intent on causing bother,' he said. 'I can't be certain it was an organised fight but there certainly seemed to be elements of choreography to their attack. 'The stewards at the Brandywell were under a lot of pressure. I was speaking to them in the second half and after the match, and they did their best in a very difficult situation. So too the police, who were liaising with the stewards and the security team at the Brandywell.' Mr Durkan described how he had to leave quickly after a group of visiting fans ran in his direction. 'At one point the Derry security team was trying to keep the Bohs fans in the ground but 40 or 50 broke away and just came towards where I was standing,' he added. 'It was genuinely scary. I don't scare easily but we did turn on our heels and go in the opposite direction. "People were genuinely frightened and that shouldn't be the case, especially when they go to a football match.' Mr Durkan said trouble continued as the game ended. Carl Winchester of Derry City after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 'There were people gathered with sticks, golf clubs and fireworks. They were roaming the perimeter prior to the match ending, and they were masked up as well,' he said. 'So while I have pointed the finger, accurately I believe, at the people who came on the bus for starting the bother, the stuff afterwards was retaliatory.' The match was also briefly suspended after a flare was thrown from outside the ground onto the pitch. Local Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy also condemned the trouble. He said many people in the area had felt frightened. 'The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI, was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence,' he said. 'In what seems to have been a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents. "That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned. "It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.' The match finished in a 1-1 draw. Afolabi Akinyemi's first goal for the Candystripes broke the deadlock, before Ross Tierney levelled things for Bohemians. Derry City and Bohemians have been contacted for comment.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ugly scenes overshadow League of Ireland clash between Derry City and Bohemians as thugs shoot FIREWORKS at fans
BOHEMIANS' clash against Derry City was marred by violent scenes that took place outside the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium. Social media footage has circulated appearing to show fans of both teams clashing outside the ground prior to kick-off. 1 Carl Winchester after a flare was thrown onto the pitch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Derry City and Bohemians at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Other videos appeared to show a group of people shooting fireworks in the direction of others through a fence. During the game, there was a brief stoppage when a flare was thrown from outside the ground and landed on and damaged the artificial pitch. The Irish Sun has contacted Derry City, Bohemians, and the PSNI for comment. On the pitch, it was Shamrock Rovers who emerged as the biggest winners from Friday night's game between the Candystripes and the Gypsies. Read More on League of Ireland Former York City striker Dipo Akinyemi put Derry ahead on his Brandywell debut with a header from Michael Duffy's cross five minutes into first half stoppage time. That lead didn't last long as Ross Tierney blasted home from James Clarke's cross on 52 minutes to rescue a point for the second placed Dubliners. Both teams have now played the same amount of games as Tiernan Lynch handed a debut to former Hull City fullback Brandon Fleming who was one of three changes from last week's Most read in Sport He replaced Shane Ferguson while hat-trick hero Liam Boyce regained a starting berth at the expense of Gavin Whyte who was a notable omission from the squad. Carl Winchester was also back at the expense of Adam O'Reilly who dropped to the bench. Oasis launch shock football club partnership despite Liam and Noel Gallagher's dying love for Man City Alan Reynolds made sweeping changes, seven in total from the team which thrashed their Leinster Senior League opposition, Killester Donnycarney in the cup. Bohs were enjoying plenty of possession in the early stages but The Londoner found the run of Duffy with a clever ball over the top and when the ex-Celtic winger cut it back to Liam Boyce the striker fluffed his lines. The ball broke out to the edge of the box where Akinyemi finished. There was a five minute delay when a flare was thrown over the Southend Park stand onto the pitch and set fire to the artificial surface on the half hour mark. The stewards were slow to react much to the annoyance of the players but eventually the flame was extinguished and play got back underway. Bohs were back on level terms just seven minutes into the second half. Ross Tierney got onto the end of James Clarke's cross from the right and volleyed past the helpless Maher.
