Irish Premiership: ‘I’d be more frustrated if my players lay down and took punches’ – Devine

Glentoran boss Declan Devine said that he would be “more frustrated if my players lay down and took punches” following ugly scenes after his side’s goalless draw with Larne.

After the full-time whistle, with the result having secured Larne second place and automatic European qualification, a mass brawl broke out on the pitch at Inver Park, with punches thrown.

Christie Pattison and Fuad Sule were sent off for the Glens whilst Aaron Donnelly and Conor McKendry were dismissed for Larne.

Whilst admitting he “didn’t see much of it” and condemning that violence was used, Devine defended his players.

“My players stood up for each other on and off the pitch. I’d be more frustrated if my players lay down and took punches,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“I’m extremely proud of the players, I want fight and commitment, maybe not to the level after the game, but it takes two to tango.

“There are certain players in our changing room who are frustrated with certain members of the Larne team instigating fights.”

Devine says he intends to watch the post-match scenes back to get a “clearer picture” of what happened.

“There were a lot of handbags. Tensions were really high and there was a big prize at stake,” he added.

“Of course, you shouldn’t lift your hands on a football pitch in the 90 minutes and there were a few digs thrown in the 18-yard box in the second half, but no room for violent actions at all during and after the game.”

The Glens boss will now have to pick his players up for the European play-offs.

“My only focus now is on the frustration that we didn’t win this game. We didn’t lose second place here today we lost it last week at Dungannon and before that at Crusaders when we dropped points.”