Chairman vows to look again at security after incidents
DROGHEDA United chairman Conor Hoey has said security arrangements at United Park will be reviewed, following a number of incidents after the final whistle last Friday night.
Shelbourne supporters spilled onto the pitch after their team clinched the Division 1 title and automatic promotion back to the top flight and there were tense exchanges as dozens of them celebrated their side’s success directly in front of the home fans, with at least one object being thrown onto the pitch.
A number of flares were also lit from both sides of the ground at the match, while Drogheda manager Tim Clancy remonstrated with an exuberant Shelbourne fan who put his arm around him during an after-match interview with RTE conducted on the pitch.
Yesterday, Clancy declined to comment on that particular incident.
Speaking on Sunday, chairman Conor Hoey told the
Drogheda Independent that the club would learn from everything that happened.
‘We will be reviewing our security situation for big games after that,’ he confirmed, ‘and there are things we have to do better.
‘It was not ideal having all the Shels fans on the pitch, but it was hard to stop. Thankfully there were no major incidents and everyone got home safe.’
Overall, the chairman was delighted with the huge interest shown in the game and the atmosphere created by the attendance which was 2,447.
‘If we can retain half of that going forward it will be a massive step ahead for the club,’ he said.
‘Personally I’m thrilled to see the Ultras back with the drums and the noise they bring, and to see so many kids there enjoying the game.’
However, Hoey acknowl
edged that the club faced a real challenge, both financially and in terms of maintaining interest in the club’s promotion challenge, because of the scheduling of the play-off games.
‘It looks like we’ll finish second,’ he said, ‘and that would mean our next fixture after this weekend won’t be until October 18th and our next fixture at home will be on October 25th.
‘There’s no income coming in for those five weeks and we have to pay wages. Why can’t these things be expedited in a better way?’
The chairman said a number of initiatives to involve supporters were actively being considered over the next few weeks, ahead of the Centenary Dinner on October 19th, and he remained hopeful that promotion would ultimately be secured.
‘It was a fabulous night on Friday and when we equalised I genuinely thought we were going to win it with 10 men.
‘Well done to Shels - they were deserving winners of the title, but I’m still very hopeful of our promotion chances. We have an outstanding team and the play-offs should hold no fears for us.’