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26th July 2025
10:43am BST
Derry City and Bohemians' League of Ireland clash on Friday night saw ugly scenes play out beforehand at the Brandywell Stadium.
Videos online show violent clashes in the Bogside area ahead of kickoff.
Many of those filmed have hoods up and their faces covered.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan attended the match and said that some young people had been injured as a result of the clashes, reports the Belfast Telegraph.
He said: “It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack.
“Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons.
“Local young people were injured - I hope they recover swiftly. This madness must stop before someone is killed.
“It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow.
“I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances.”
On the pitch, the match was temporarily suspended following a flare being thrown onto the pitch.
According to Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy "so-called supporters from Dublin" attacked locals.
He said: “The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence.
“In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents.
"That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned.
"It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.”
Meanwhile, the match finished in a 1-1 draw with Afolabi Akinyemi getting the opener for the hosts before half-time, however Ross Tierney levelled the score early in the second half.
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