Sixteen people ejected during Cork-Limerick hurling match for lighting flares and smoke bombs

The statement comes as a number of calls were made for better security checks to be implemented at the stadium after a number of people during the All-Munster Championship hurling games.  Picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Sixteen people were ejected from Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night during the Munster hurling championship clash between Cork and Limerick, mostly for igniting flares and smoke bombs. 

In a statement, Munster GAA said that while a high volume of alcohol, flares, and smoke bombs were confiscated on the night by stewards, a small number of these items were smuggled into the stadium by patrons.

The statement comes amid calls for better security checks to be implemented at the stadium during games after a number of people were hurt during the Cork and Limerick match and post-match celebrations on Saturday evening.

A 16-year-old girl was left hurt and terrified and "feared for her life" after she was trampled in a post-match pitch invasion. 

There were also suggestions that two other teenage girls suffered serious knee and ankle injuries during the incident. 

Another woman said she was hurt when she was hit in the head with a flare that went off in the Blackrock Terrace early on in the match. 

"On Saturday night there were checks carried out at each of the four accessing points to the Blackrock and City End Terrace at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh," Munster GAA said on Wednesday. 

"There were 40 trained private security personnel deployed to carry out this task. 

"While there was a high volume of confiscation of alcohol, flares and smoke bombs, a limited number of these items were smuggled into the stadium by supporters. 

"These supporters persist to ignite these devices and use them recklessly in the terraces which puts our patrons in the terrace areas at risk," it said. 

The statement added that four trained fire stewards were detailed to the terraces to deal with such pyrotechnics and limit the risk to patrons. 

"With the support of the gardaí, there were 16 ejections from the venue on Saturday night, largely due to igniting flares and smoke bombs," Munster GAA added. 

It reminded patrons that it is a criminal offence to light a flare in a crowded area and anyone who does so may be subject to ejection from the venue and may face criminal prosecution. 

"Flares and smoke bombs are extremely dangerous, particularly when used in a confined space, such as a terrace with thousands of fellow supporters present," Munster GAA said. 

"Munster GAA asks the small number of supporters who do bring these items to our games, please refrain from doing so as they pose a serious risk to fellow supporters."

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