A fire officer clears the flares from the pitch after Drogheda United's goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/SportsfileIncidents at Friday’s Louth derby in Dundalk, where the newly installed pitch suffered serious damage from flares thrown by Drogheda United supporters, with injuries suffered by a 12-year-old child, will have huge ramifications for Irish football. Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan says he has ordered an immediate halt to state funding for astro pitches in the League of Ireland, stating that he personally witnessed “taxpayers' money literally going up in smoke”.

Source: Irish Independent February 23, 2026 23:53 UTC