Sections of Turner's Cross to be closed after St Pat's player struck by bottle

Mark Doyle of St Patrick's Athletic reacts after being struck by a missile thrown by the crowd while celebrating scoring his side's first goal during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup semi-final match between Cork City and St Patrick's Athletic at Turner’s Cross in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Sections of Turner's Cross stadium will be closed for Shamrock Rovers' visit to Cork City in the League of Ireland Premier Division as a result of missiles being thrown during City's FAI Cup semi-final defeat by St Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday.

After Mark Doyle opened the scoring for St Pat's, two missiles were thrown in his direction, one of them a plastic bottle which struck the player. 

As a result, one section of the Derrynane Road Stand and two sections of the Curragh Road Stand of Turner’s Cross will be closed for the Rovers' visit. 

Doyle said: "I was hit by a plastic bottle. There was nothing in it but a glass bottle was also was thrown. If that hits you, you could be in trouble. Thankfully it was only a plastic one that hit me so I just headed it back!

"I just saw it the glass one going by me. It was on the ground. There were a few lads over there. I wouldn't even give a bit to the crowd because you'd be afraid something would be thrown at you. I was kind of just going over to the corner to celebrate. It's not like I was taunting them but you get it anyway."

A League of Ireland statement read: "Following the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Semi-Final between Cork City FC and St Patrick’s Athletic FC at Turner’s Cross on Sunday, 8 October 2023, during which a number of missiles were thrown onto the field of play, including an incident where a player was struck by an object, an Independent Disciplinary Committee of the FAI has issued a partial stadium closure of Turner’s Cross which includes a closure of one section of the Derrynane Road Stand and two sections of the Curragh Road Stand of Turner’s Cross.

"This ban will take place in Cork City FC’s next home league fixture versus Shamrock Rovers FC on 23 October 2023.

"The FAI maintains a strict zero tolerance approach towards spectator misconduct and is committed to ensuring that League of Ireland matches remain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, this decision may be appealed."

In their statement, Cork City confirmed that had identified the alleged culprits and their banning procedure would be activated.

Furthermore, they warned that a repeat incidence threatens the club with a full stadium closure, meaning matches will be played behind closed doors without a single supporter in attendance.

The FAI’s independent appeal committee recently rejected an appeal by Drogheda United against a ban of away fans for their trip to Shamrock Rovers on Friday week.

The sanction was imposed after a match official was struck by a pyrotechnic during their Louth derby against Dundalk.

Cork City’s statement released this evening said: “Cork City FC wish to confirm that the club has been sanctioned following incidents of supporter misconduct at Sunday’s FAI Cup Semi Final against St. Patrick’s Athletic.”

“As a result of three bottles (missiles) being thrown at St. Patrick’s Athletic players, the club has been sanctioned with a significant fine and also a closure of sections R, S and T for our upcoming home game against Shamrock Rovers on Monday, October 23.

“Despite the result, last Sunday showed the whole country many of the best aspects of our club, with a packed out Turner’s Cross, live on TV and a fantastic atmosphere, with the vast majority of our supporters being, as usual, a credit to themselves and their club.

“It is extremely regrettable, therefore, that the actions of a handful of individuals has resulted in a sanction that will impact their fellow supporters.

“The club has been reviewing CCTV footage and has identified those who are responsible. These individuals will be dealt with severely under the club’s banning procedures.

"The club wishes to make it very clear that such behaviour has absolutely no place in any stadium, and the club has a zero tolerance approach to this type of behaviour.

"Based on FAI regulations, it is likely that a repeat of such behaviour will result in a full stand being closed and, potentially, the club being forced to play a game behind closed doors.

"We appeal to the vast majority of our supporters, who we know do not condone this type of conduct, to work with us to avoid any repeats of such incidents and the unwanted outcomes that may materialise and impact all of us.”