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Drogheda United supporters throw flares on to the pitch before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images

It’s understood significant damage was caused to the new artificial playing surface.

Updated 18.00

A 12 year old Drogheda United fan ended up in the Emergency Departent of Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda last night, after he was struck by a flare fired from the Away fans end at Oriel Park during the Louth derby.

The boy sustained burns to his face and hand but was not hospitalised.

During the game flares were fired at the newly laid artificial playing surface leaving over 30 burn marks, which may see the Boynesiders sanctioned in the coming days.

Fire stewards remove flares from the pitch before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

 

Before the match, flares had been fired when rival fans clashed outside Clarke train station on the Carrick Road, while a man in his 20s was arrested following a report of a further public order incident on the Carrick Road around 10.15pm.

He has since been charged and is due to appear in court at a later date.

Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager at Irish Rail has confirmed to LMFM News that damage was also caused at the train station.

“Well unfortunately we did have some public order issues at Clarke station in Dundalk before the game as supporters were arriving at the station and some had flares – we had some issues with scorching arising from that. 

We also had some vandalism unfortunately with some of the heritage signs in the station in Dundalk.

We will obviously be reviewing this with Gardaí. We met and liaised with Gardaí in advance of the event and say after the match things were somewhat calmer but obviously the vast majority of people who travelled were travelling responsibly and you know the minority did cause I think some upset and some concern for those. 

That’s not something we want to see happen at the station, so it’s important that we work with the Gardaí and indeed with the clubs as well to ensure that we prevent this happening in the future.”

 

Some of the burnt flares recovered from the pitch at Oriel Park last night

 

 

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