The League of Ireland Premier Division clash between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers was halted by a pitch-invading child with a flare on Friday.
Shamrock Rovers won the Irish top-flight game 3-1 but there were worrying scenes towards the end of the clash as a flare was thrown from the stands.
The flare set fire to one part of the pitch at Lone Moor Road, according to local reports from the Derry Journal.
Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on social media which appears to show a child running onto the pitch.
In the clip, the child picks up the flare and runs away with it before it was eventually removed and the final whistle went.
Fans have been reacting to the footage on social media with @Mickmac45049764 posting on X: ‘This is not a joke serious harm could have happened to that child where are his parents.’
‘Tell me you’ve never been to Derry without telling me you’ve never been to Derry,’ @brian_gall85 added.
‘Couldn’t believe this watching it,’ @cahilljackie posted. ‘Why didn’t someone take the flare off the kid?’
‘What the f*** is going on at Derry,’ @the_peakys said. ‘A young boy no older than 10 runs on the pitch and grabs a flare, then proceeds to run up the pitch with it.’
Aaron Greene netted twice while Richie Towell also got on the scoresheet as visitors Shamrock Rovers won the match 3-1.
It was a crucial victory for Shamrock Rovers, who are now just three points off the top of the league in Ireland.
‘We’ve had better Friday nights,’ Derry City posted on their official X account after their loss.
Patrick Hoban was on target for the hosts but it was not enough as they tasted defeat in front of their frustrated home fans.
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