FOLLOWING yesterday’s 0-0 draw in the Ireland v England friendly in Dublin, the police officer charged with overseeing the UK’s football policing response has thanked fans on both sides for contributing to an incident-free weekend in Ireland’s capital.
National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Football Policing, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: "I am delighted by the outcomes thus far in terms of security around the Ireland v England match at the Aviva Stadium and across Dublin over the weekend.
There were no incidents of disorder in Dublin on Saturday or Sunday nights, and a very good atmosphere inside the stadium for yesterday’s match, which was undoubtedly helped by an early kick-off time which meant access to pubs and off-licences was limited. I am convinced that early kick-offs are a useful tactic to deploy for high-risk matches."
Irish fans watching the game in pubs and clubs across Britain had little to cheer about as the Boys in Green ground out a dreary scoreless draw with England.
The Irish Post dropped into the Man of Aran pub in Harrow where the customers weren't too impressed with proceedings at the Aviva Stadium, with attention soon turning to the far more entertaining Munster Senior Hurling Championship game between Waterford and Cork.