GARDAI HAVE CONFIRMED that they are investigating an incident in which an disused Astroturf surface was set alight in Oriel Park, home of Dundalk FC, last night

A spokesperson for the Louth club confirmed that the pitch, which was being stored in bails at the Carrick end of the ground following its replacement two years ago, was set on fire in an incident believed to be malicious yesterday evening.

A local unit of the fire brigade managed to quickly contain the flames and the matter was reported to An Garda Síochána shortly before 10pm.

Speaking to TheScore.ie earlier this afternoon, Dundalk’s Communication Officer, Colm Crosson described the matter as “an unfortunate incident.”

It would appear that it was malicious. All indications and common sense would suggest that something like that doesn’t just burst into flames. Thankfully, apart from the possibility of some smoke damage, there was no real infrastructural damage done to the ground or to the club facilities.

“Who’s to know what the real financial impact of the incident is? There was originally an intention to re-use the pitch in a youth development centre, but in recent months we decided to use a more suitable surface.

“It was an unfortunate incident, but it’s doubtful that it will have any severe repercussions for Dundalk FC.”