Life bans for soccer thugs who targeted manager's sick son

Club boss horrified at cancer taunts

- SEAN MURPHY

DISGUSTING abuse about a soccer manager's sick son at a League of Ireland match has resulted in lifetime bans for two hooligans.

Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was targeted with vile chants about his child's leukaemia when the Dublin club travelled to face Cork City last Friday.

Cork club's owner Dermot Usher yesterday revealed: "Two people have been identified, two people have admitted to their wrongs. These two guys are going to get lifetime bans." He was asked on RTE Radio if other clubs and the FAI could extend the ban.

Mr Usher replied: "I think all clubs would support what we're trying to do." Mr Bradley's nine-year-old son Josh has received treatment for leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells that begins in the bone marrow.

An FAI spokesperson said: "We and the League of Ireland fully support Cork City in their condemnation of the abhorrent behaviour of a small number of fans directed towards Shamrock Rovers Head Coach Stephen Bradley last Friday. We will support their proposed action in any way we can.