Footballer hit by rocket firecracker
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=661120
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An Irish footballer was stunned and injured after he was hit by a rocket fired by religious fanatics lurking in the crowd.
Conor Hagan collapsed to the ground after being smashed in the back by the rocket before it exploded, Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reports.
It was fired seconds after the whistle was blown at the end of the game in east Belfast.
Mr Hagan's team, Lindfield, had just suffered a 2-1 defeat by religious rivals Cliftonville.
The attack, which sparked religious riots, came after players from the mainly-Catholic supported side of Cliftonville had missiles hurled at them from Lindfield fans, who are mainly Protestants.
Medical teams raced to Hagan's side after he fell to the ground.
"I was lying on the ground disgusted with the result and didnt see the firework coming," the 26-year-old was quoted in the Belfast Telegraph as saying.
"It hit me on the back when it went off and it was more the bang that scared me and I was in shock for few seconds."
Police were later called to break-up a riot between the two religious groups.
Cliftonville trainer Eddie Patterson, who had received death threats in the lead up to the game, condemned the incident.
"Some of my own players had missiles thrown at them, but I would rather talk about the Linfield fans who applauded us off the pitch, thats what footballs about," he was quoted as saying.
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At least our footballers only have coins & fake "coke" thrown at them. Check out the link, it has a video
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=661120
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An Irish footballer was stunned and injured after he was hit by a rocket fired by religious fanatics lurking in the crowd.
Conor Hagan collapsed to the ground after being smashed in the back by the rocket before it exploded, Britain's Daily Mail newspaper reports.
It was fired seconds after the whistle was blown at the end of the game in east Belfast.
Mr Hagan's team, Lindfield, had just suffered a 2-1 defeat by religious rivals Cliftonville.
The attack, which sparked religious riots, came after players from the mainly-Catholic supported side of Cliftonville had missiles hurled at them from Lindfield fans, who are mainly Protestants.
Medical teams raced to Hagan's side after he fell to the ground.
"I was lying on the ground disgusted with the result and didnt see the firework coming," the 26-year-old was quoted in the Belfast Telegraph as saying.
"It hit me on the back when it went off and it was more the bang that scared me and I was in shock for few seconds."
Police were later called to break-up a riot between the two religious groups.
Cliftonville trainer Eddie Patterson, who had received death threats in the lead up to the game, condemned the incident.
"Some of my own players had missiles thrown at them, but I would rather talk about the Linfield fans who applauded us off the pitch, thats what footballs about," he was quoted as saying.
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At least our footballers only have coins & fake "coke" thrown at them. Check out the link, it has a video
