Oriel pitch damage a health and safety issue

Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff says the damage done to the club's newly relaid playing surface at Oriel Park is a "health and safety issue" for players.

Friday night's Louth derby draw between Dundalk and Drogheda United was marred by the away fans throwing flares onto the pitch. A 12-year-old supporter was also left "shook" having been struck by a flare.

Both clubs have strongly condemned the scenes that played out and Drogheda apologised to their counterparts. They vowed to impose an immediate stadium ban for anyone found to have participated in the damage caused to the pitch, or to have caused harm to another person.

Meanwhile, Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan, who was in attendence at the derby, told RTÉ Radio 1's Today with David McCullagh programme on Monday that he will not rule out pushing for legislation to stamp out the presence of flares at League of Ireland matches.

He also said that he has asked the department to pause all astroturf investments into clubs until he gets a "sufficient response" from the FAI and League of Ireland to protect innocent patrons and the government's investment.

Dundalk returned to action away from home in rescheduled SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixture against reigning champions Shamrock Rovers on Monday night.

But the disappointment at the turn of events from Friday night still lingered with manager Kilduff as he spoke to RTÉ Sport at full time.

"I'm not going to lie to you, I was gutted," he told Tony O'Donoghue.

"Even coming in the morning after for training and seeing it. We were proud of (the new pitch), we'd been enjoying it, we weren't on it that long.

"There were underage games, and academies, and boys and girls on it all weekend. Then it's damaged.

"It's stained and it goes deeper than just that game. There's a bit of a deeper meaning for ourselves coming in.

"I couldn't believe probably how bad it was. If it ever did happen again, I'd be surprised if the game even went ahead to be honest because of the damage that's been done.

"It's a health and safety issue now. Players could stand on it or trip in it. There are divots in the pitch from the burns and the scorch marks."

There had been huge anticipation for this Louth derby given that Dundalk spent last season in the second tier.

And Kilduff said that he and Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty were united in the view that the clubs' rivalry did not need to be fueled by the sort of incidents that occurred on Friday.

"It nearly becomes infamous now. It's a huge game anyway. It doesn't need that stigma," he said.

"We all like a bit of support but not treating property like that and damaging stuff like that.

"And to be fair, I know it's easy to say because Dundalk and Drogheda have that rivalry, but even if the shoe was on the other foot and we did it to them, I'm calling it as I see it. It's not a good look for anyone involved.

"I spoke to Kev after the game and he was as gutted as I was. It shouldn't happen. It's nothing to do with football that we're talking about. Hopefully we just get it fixed and move on."

It is unclear how quickly the damage to the pitch can be fixed. But Dundalk are on the road for the weeks to come and are not due to play at Oriel Park again until 13 March when Waterford are the visitors.

"I'm assuming it will have to be ready," Killduff said.

"I haven't heard anything yet. But there's obviously a job to be done and it's obviously an expense and you have to make sure someone can do the proper job on it now."

Meanwhile, Danny Mullen's stoppage time goal against Shamrock Rovers ensured that the ten men of Dundalk emerged from their Tallaght trip with a valuable point.

The result means Kilduff''s side have started their top flight comeback with three draws from three.

"Away to the Brandywell, away to Tallaght and a Louth derby, you probably would have liked to be unbeaten but you would have liked to have won one or two of them for the points tally," he said.

"But tonight, obviously we've got hurt with late goals in the previous two games that cost us the three points. Tonight, snatching one late, I thought we deserved it.

"But the manner, you think with ten men and you're running out of time, it mightn't come, we're delighted with the start so far."

Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Click here to read article