Saints call gardaí after cyber abuse

Losing cup finalists St Patrick’s Athletic have called in the gardaí following abusive comments in social media directed at goalkeeper Brendan Clarke.

In Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Derry City in the FAI Ford Cup final at the Aviva Stadium, with the score locked at 1-1, Clarke gave away possession and then, in attempting to retrieve the situation, committed a foul which was punished from the penalty sport by Rory Paterson.

That meant Derry had come back from 1-0 down to take the lead and though Pat’s equalised in normal time through Christy Fagan, a second Paterson goal in extra-time sent the trophy north to Derry, leaving the Inchicore side’s infamous cup drought to extend to, at least, 52 years.

Now, Pat’s have responded to abusive and hostile remarks which appeared in social media by contacting the gardaí.

In a statement, the club said: “The players and staff of St Patrick’s Athletic wish to express our disgust at some of the comments made on social networking sites towards some of our players and in particular our goalkeeper Brendan Clarke following the FAI Ford Cup final.

“The club does not tolerate bullying or hatred of any kind towards any of our staff, players or fans and have contacted the gardaí in relation to the matter. The club are carrying out a full investigation and the individuals will be brought in front of our disciplinary board.”

Meanwhile, Trevor Croly, the man who was Pats boss Liam Buckley’s assistant in the dugout on Sunday will be officially unveiled as the new manager of Shamrock Rovers at a press conference in Tallaght today.

And last night Dundalk FC confirmed that interim manager Darius Kierans has left the club three days after guiding the side to Premier Division safety after their play-off win over Waterford United.