Declan Devine has urged clubs and the League of Ireland to work together to resolve the issue of flares at grounds.
The Bohemians manager was speaking after one of his players, Cian Byrne, suffered a burn to his arm after being hit by a flare at Richmond Park during the 1-0 win over St. Patrick's Athletic on Friday night.
The flare was thrown from the Bohemians section of the crowd and was part of a protest after large-scale fan displays were banned at the Aviva Stadium when the two sides met in the FAI Cup Final back in November.
The players were taken off the pitch during the protest at the beginning of the second half and the match was delayed as a result.
Absolute joke throwing flares at own player not once but TWICE @bfcdublin 2nd video is even worse as it’s aimed at a group of players when game is stopped outside the box 🤬 pic.twitter.com/TUMkaUq7wN
— AidanX96 (@Aidanjarvis9) February 24, 2024
Bohs player suffers burn after being hit by flare
"Cian Byrne’s come away with a burnt arm," Devine told RTÉ after his side's 1-0 victory over their Dublin rivals.
"I think throughout the league it’s an issue, I think right throughout the league pyrotechnics are becoming an issue.
"As a league we’ve got to understand that it’s not a Bohs issue, it’s not a Pat’s issue as a league we’re going to have to come together and get a conclusion because someone’s going to get hurt.
"The bottom line for me is that both sets of fans have let off flares, it’s not acceptable that they’re coming close to players or in danger of hurting someone."
GOAL!
Jordan Flores converts a penalty to give the visitors the lead with just ten minutes to play!
📺 LOITV
📲 FAI Connect app for updates#LOITV | #PATBOH pic.twitter.com/ZAIeSvUzXL— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 23, 2024
Pyrotechnics are an LOI issue
Pyrotechnics have long been an element of fan culture in the League of Ireland, and the increased use of them appears to coincide with the greater interest in the league, and growing attendances in recent years.
Flares can certainly contribute to generating an atmosphere but as Devine said, a line needs to be drawn before someone suffers a greater injury than Byrne did on Friday.
12 November 2023; St Patrick's Athletic supporters light flares before the Sports Direct FAI Cup Final between Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
On the pitch, a late Jordan Flores penalty secured all three points for Bohs, while Shelbourne beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in Friday's other Dublin Derby.
Waterford won 4-1 away at Drogheda United to climb to the top of the table, while their fellow newly-promoted side Galway United picked up a 2-0 win at Dundalk.
The second round of 2024 Premier Division fixtures will wrap up on Saturday evening, when Sligo Rovers host Derry City.
