THE president of the Irish Football Association last night insisted that the hooliganism problem in Irish League soccer “can’t be swept under the counter time and time again”.
Jim Boyce was reacting to disgraceful scenes both on and off the pitch on Saturday afternoon during two high-profile derby clashes in Belfast.
The Premier League game between Linfield and Glentoran at Windsor Park, in which Glentoran had three men sent off, was abandoned in the 86th minute as Linfield led 3-0.
Twenty RUC officers and a number of supporters were injured after fans began throwing stones, bottles and scaffolding.
Television pictures showed a gang of Glentoran fans mercilessly kicking a defenceless Linfield fan in the car park after the match.
One RUC officer was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg while another was treated for an eye injury after being struck by a missile.
Three people were arrested for public order offences and an alleged assault on Glentoran boss Roy Coyle by a Linfield fan is also being investigated.
Across the city at Seaview, riot police were forced to intervene at the Crusaders-Cliftonville game when a small section of people threatened Cliftonville chairman Jim Boyce.
Boyce was verbally abused for a considerable time after the dismissal of Crusaders substitute Kirk Hunter, during Cliftonville’s 2-0 Premier League win over the champions.
Hunter had been on the pitch less than 30 seconds when referee Alan Snoddy sent him off for alleged involvement in an off-the-ball incident with Cliftonville’s Damien Davey.
In the final minutes of the game, Crusaders keeper Davy O’Hare, was also dismissed for an off-the-ball incident.
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JOSEPH McAllister showed his liking for the mud once again by claiming a brilliant victory in the senior boys event at the Irish Schools Cross-Country Championships in Galway.
The St Malachy’s lad, who could only manage seventh in the Ulster Championships three weeks ago, came home nine seconds ahead of overwhelming pre-race favourite Monaghan man Enda Johnston.
McAllister’s magnificent individual triumph couldn’t prevent the senior team honours slipping away from the north Belfast school.
St Malachy’s old rivals North Mon, led by third placer Paul Reilly, claimed a comfortable success with the Belfast school a somewhat distant second.
‘Flu stricken Joe Hendry ran a gutsy race to be the second Malachy’s man home in 16th.
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JORDANSTOWN’S dreams of a three in a row in The Irish News Intervarsity Basketball men’s competition will remain just that after their defeat in yesterday’s final at the hands of University College Dublin.
Trevor Smullen, Ciaran Stevenson and Neil McCotter were the best on court for UUJ, but baskets didn’t come from possession when they should have and UCD punished each missed opportunity with a score.
Smullen, with a personal tally of 20, was the most impressive Jordanstown player in this regard and his workrate in defence was also noted. UCD featured top class players from National League teams and their calibre was evident from the tip-off.
