City expect hefty bottle-throwing fine
The incident occurred towards the end of Drogheda’s 1-0 win over City and, afterwards, the gardaí questioned an individual who, according to Lennox, has now been banned from the ground for life.
While stressing that it was an isolated incident, the City chairman said the club would beef up security in The Shed, where two Gardaí and four stewards will now be on duty at all home games.
Connor said: “I was at the Shed End retrieving the ball after it had gone out and a broken vodka bottle came from behind me and stuck in my leg. It was pumping blood and I had to get treatment.”
The former Waterford United keeper insisted on finishing the game and, despite receiving three stitches, will be fit for tonight’s match against Bohemians, according to Drogheda boss Paul Doolin.
Added Connor: “I probably won’t create a massive fuss about it. Cork do have great supporters and I think this was the first time something like that happened there, and their chairman and security chief apologised to me afterwards. But I would like something done because it could have been much worse if the bottle had hit me in the face.”
The incident was included in the reports of both the referee and the league delegate, and these will be studied when the FAI’s Disciplinary Commission meet next week and decide on what action to take against the club.
“Our record has been very good in Turner’s Cross with the crowds that we have,” said Lennox, “and it’s just unfortunate that one or two people can spoil an evening for everyone else.”
Meanwhile, City have confirmed that Scottish Premier Division side Hibernian will provide the opposition for a friendly game at Turner’s Cross on Sunday, July 3. Hibs have also arranged fixtures against Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers for their summer trip to Ireland.
Manager Tony Mowbray said: “Football in Ireland is of a high standard and we are playing good quality teams. They play summer football so they will be fit. It will be a good challenge for our players and a good start to pre-season training.”
Meanwhile, it will probably be next Tuesday at the earliest before Shamrock Rovers learn what sanctions, if any, will be imposed on them by the FAI for alleged irregularities in their application for a club licence before the start of this season. A Wednesday deadline having passed, the club were due to respond yesterday to nine questions posed by the FAI. Once the reply from Rovers has been received, the Club Licensing First Instance Committee will sit to review the matter and decide their fate.
Rovers have pleaded with fans to turn out in large numbers for tonight’s game against Cork City.
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