Cork City to issue lifetime bans to supporters who abused Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley at Turner's Cross. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
CORK City have condemned the abuse directed at Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley after Friday night's League of Ireland game at Turner's Cross.
In a statement they released on social media they apologised for chanting aimed at the Rovers boss' son.
"Cork City FC wish to unreservedly condemn the actions of a handful of individuals who directed disgusting abuse at Shamrock Rovers Manager Stephen Bradley from outside the stadium shortly after tonight’s match.
"The club will work with all relevant authorities to identify those involved and take the appropriate action against those involved.
"On behalf of the club, we wish to apologise to Mr. Bradley for the actions of these individuals."
Bradley has called for lifetime bans for the City fans that sang 'disgusting' songs about his son.
Bradley said; "It’s disgusting. I’m going to put in a report to the police. Singing about my son... You take stick. As a football person, that comes with it. That’s your job and that’s fine.
"That’s disgusting. That has no place in football or society. That’s disgusting behaviour."
Cork City owner Dermot Usher posted on social to state lifetime bans would be given out to those involved.
"I was too annoyed to comment last night, these people are not Cork City Fans. This type of behaviour has no place in society. This is not a true reflection of what Cork City FC and the people are. Lifetime bans will be handed out to anyone connected with this."
The owners of the Corner Flag Pub, which overlooks Turner’s Cross, explained they have identified the culprits and are working with the club and gardaí on the matter.
We utterly condemn the vile, disgusting chants directed at Stephen Bradley from a group of individuals who entered our premises after the Cork City and Shamrock Rovers game last night. Our staff and security team have identified those involved and we are working closely with….
— TheCornerFlag (@TheCornerFlag4) May 27, 2023
It overshadowed a huge result for the hosts, who grabbed an important three points in their bid to avoid relegation.
The champions had three players sent off the Cross before City secured the victory courtesy of Ruairi Keating's late strike. It was the second win in a row after a difficult start to their return to the top flight which led to manager Colin Healy stepping down.
Former Cork City and Shamrock Rovers striker and columnist Graham Cummins said Bradley is one of the "most decent men in the game".
"This action from supposed supporters is disgusting and should not be accepted," he said. "Footballers and managers expect to receive abuse from opposition fans but there is a line.
"Cork City is a wonderful club and although this was just a minority, clearly everyone is appalled. People from Cork will know what a wonderful club City is but from the outside, people will have negative thoughts about the club because of this incident, which is a shame because that minority should not represent the club.
"To hear that a manager was mocked about his ill nine-year-old son is unacceptable. I know Stephen Bradley from our time together at Rovers in 2019.
"He understands, unlike some managers, that family is the most important thing in life and would always give players time off even for the smallest of matters if it involved their family."
Shamrock Rovers also condemned the incident: “Shamrock Rovers F.C. condemns the actions of a number of individuals after last night's game in Cork where some particularly hurtful verbal abuse was directed toward our head coach Stephen Bradley and his family. The club appreciates the support of Cork City F.C. in its condemnation of the actions of a few and their commitment to seek out those involved and deal with it accordingly.”
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