For Damien Duff and Shelbourne, it was a night to forget at Dalymount Park on Friday.
The FAI Cup first round draw threw up a Dublin derby between Shels and their local rivals Bohemians, in a game that was always set to bring fireworks.
Ultimately, Bohs would have the better of their bitter rivals, thanks to Jonathan Afolabi's first-half goal, as they ran out 1-0 winners and avenged their exit to the same side at the quarter-final stage last season.
Bohemians still lead Shelbourne with 15 minutes to play in tonight's Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup First Round tie!
Here's how Jonathan Afolabi put them in front earlier on 👇#FAICup | #BOHSHE pic.twitter.com/0Gcfxk2M2n— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) July 21, 2023
Unfortunately, however, there were unsavoury scenes at the full-time whistle, as Shelbourne manager Damien Duff alleged he was hit by a coin thrown from the home crowd at Dalymount.
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Damien Duff allegedly struck by coin from Dalymount crowd
It was a game that was not without controversy both on the pitch and off. Shelbourne would feel rightfully hard done by as they were not awarded what manager Duff described as a "stonewaller" penalty in the first-half, and came out on the losing end of the North Dublin derby in the first round of the cup.
Damien Duff would later claim that he was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd as he left the pitch after the game, the second time he has been targeted by an object thrown from the crowd at Dalymount Park.
The Shelbourne manager joked that he had considered wearing a cap to protect his eyes from projectiles, and lamented the repeat offence:
I contemplated wearing a cap here tonight because things have been thrown at me before. I want to keep my two eyes. It’s as simple as that but what you can do. It was a euro. They didn’t even throw a two.
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It was a disappointing way for the evening's football to end, and Duff was understandably aggrieved.
21 July 2023; Shelbourne manager Damien Duff during the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup First Round match between Bohemians and Shelbourne at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
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In response to the disappointing allegations from Duff, Bohemians' chief operating officer Daniel Lambert slammed the actions of the fan who had thrown the object, saying that anyone who behaved in such a manner was not welcome at Dalymount Park.
On Twitter, Lambert said:
If you throw a coin at Dalymount, irrespective of who at, and whether it hits anyone or not, you're not wanted at the club.
Cowardly stuff and costs the club hard earned money through fines, with other members essentially paying for you being a pr*ck.
Duff and Shelbourne now prepare for a return to Premier Division action next Friday night against Cork City. Bohs, meanwhile, will await their fate in Tuesday's FAI Cup second round draw, and are back in League of Ireland action next Friday against UCD.
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