As we look forward to the 2022 European campaign, Rovers sit proudly at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table following Monday’s win in Inchicore. Your support has played a huge part in our success to date this season, with average attendances over 5,500 in Tallaght and large numbers of travelling Hoops getting behind the team at grounds around the country.  We are grateful to all of you for your support – we are proud to be Ireland’s number 1 on the pitch and in the stands and we aspire to lead the way in every aspect of the game.

Last Friday’s game was the most high-profile fixture in the league calendar and the South Stand was packed, colourful and loud. That is the way to show your support for the team, and for the club. Pitch incursions and use of pyro are prohibited and last Friday was arguably the best atmosphere there has been at Tallaght Stadium and all of this without any anti-social behaviour.

Unfortunately, though, the club and the vast majority of our supporters, continue to be let down by a small number of individuals who cause trouble, often on our travels. This casts an unnecessary shadow on the reputation of the club and our fanbase. Whether it is pitch encroachment, missiles being thrown onto the pitch, flares and smoke bombs in the stands or flares thrown onto the pitch, the fines associated with this behaviour have already been costly for the club this year with approx €6,000 in fines. A plastic bottle thrown onto the pitch at Inchicore on Monday being the latest of these ridiculous acts. The penalties in European fixtures for the misbehaviour of fans, financial and otherwise, are significantly higher. 

We would therefore renew our appeal to all supporters to observe the stadium regulations when attending matches in Tallaght and elsewhere.  Gardai, security personnel and stewards are there to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience at our games. Please follow their advice, in particular as it relates to keeping stairwells clear.

We look forward to welcoming another large crowd to Tallaght Stadium next Tuesday as we embark on a new European journey. Ticket sales to date have been strong and we know that you will be there in large numbers, loud and colourful, to support the team. Please also support your club by ensuring that for this game, and all others, the headlines, reports and post-game analysis are focused on the action on the pitch.