Dundalk FC pitch vandalised as crowd disturbances overshadow match

Friday night’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division meeting of Dundalk FC and Drogheda United at Oriel Park was marred by crowd trouble that left extensive damage to the venue’s newly installed playing surface and cast a shadow over what had been intended as a showcase occasion.

The occasion had been intended as a celebratory one. Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan was present to formally unveil the redeveloped pitch and upgraded floodlights, works completed at a cost of approximately €500,000.

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The majority of that sum was provided through a Sports Capital Grant sanctioned in September 2024.

However, before a ball had been kicked, several flares were discharged from the away section. The pyrotechnics left 35 burn marks across the freshly laid surface, marring what had been presented as a significant infrastructural step forward for the club.

Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff expressed his frustration in forthright terms. “It’s not acceptable,” he said. “This league is scrapping for everything it has. We got something that hopefully benefits not just us, but the whole league.

“We tried to make it a great setting here and a great surface for everyone to play on. I spoke to Kevin (Doherty) on it. I know he’s not happy either. It shouldn’t happen.

“It’s disappointing and a stain not only on the pitch but on the night. I would’ve rather been here talking about football than I would’ve been about some of that stuff.”

There were also incidents of a disorderly nature in the environs of the ground both before kick-off and after the final whistle. Disturbances were reported on the Carrick Road and at Clarke railway station, with Gardaí confirming one arrest.

Kilduff warned that such incidents risk undermining efforts to grow attendances, expressing concern that scenes of that nature could discourage supporters and families from attending future fixtures.

“It’s not good because we’ve got 4,000 people here and we want them all to come back,” he said. “You don’t want to be setting this precedent that it’s a bit of madness and there’s bad anti-social stuff happening around the club and in the ground.

“We don’t need that as a league. We need positivity, and there should have been a lot to be positive about here tonight – the setting, the lights, the pitch, the occasion, the TV was here. We want to be putting our best foot forward, not just as Dundalk but as a league.

“Those things don’t belong in football. They take away from what we should be talking about, which is two good teams having a go at the highest level of a league that’s trying to boom at the minute and is booming. So the less we get of those events, the better.”

On Sunday, both clubs released a joint statement, which read: “Dundalk FC and Drogheda United FC wish to thank the vast majority of supporters, as well as the staff, players and volunteers who attended and participated in Friday’s League of Ireland fixture at Oriel Park between the two clubs.

“However, both clubs strongly condemn the actions of a small minority of individuals whose behaviour has no place in football.

“Damage was deliberately caused to Dundalk FC’s new pitch, a facility that serves not only the club’s first team but also hundreds of academy players and local community groups each week.

“This act of vandalism undermines the spirit of rivalry that should exist between our clubs and instead harms the wider football community in our region and the reputation of the League of Ireland.

“During the same incident, flares thrown in the crowd resulted in an injury to a 12-year-old supporter who sustained burns to his face.

“We are relieved that no further injuries occurred and extend our sincere thanks to the Order of Malta for their swift and professional response. Drogheda United FC officials have been in contact with the family and are offering their full support.

“Both clubs would like to remind supporters of the dangers of pyrotechnics usage and the throwing of missiles inside stadia, which is illegal and strictly prohibited at all League of Ireland fixtures.

“Rivalry is part of what makes fixtures between Dundalk FC and Drogheda United FC so special. But it must always remain passionate, respectful and safe. There is no justification for actions that put lives at risk or damage facilities used by young people and the wider community.

“Both clubs will fully cooperate with An Garda Síochána in relation to any investigation and will engage constructively with the FAI disciplinary process. Dundalk FC is currently assessing the full extent of the damage caused, and appropriate steps will be taken in response.

“Oriel Park, and every League of Ireland ground, must be a safe and welcoming venue for everyone, regardless of the colours they wear.

“Both clubs call on their supporters to stand together in rejecting this behaviour and to ensure that future fixtures are remembered for the football on the pitch, not incidents off it.”