Cork City Football Club has praised locals in Derry who gave their supporters refuge in their homes after they were set upon by a gang on Friday night following the team's 1-0 defeat to Derry City in the Brandywell.

It is understood more than 100 youths targeted 30 to 40 Cork City supporters with stones and batons.

Sinn Féin Cllr Patricia Logue said what happened was a "very serious situation.

“Those who came in to the Brandywell tonight do not represent the people of the area or Derry City Football Club.

“A small group of Cork City FC supporters were surrounded on the Brandywell Road by a mob and viciously attacked.

“They had to seek refuge in local businesses and homes.”

It is understood the gang who attacked the Cork City supporters were not Derry City fans.

Ms Logue described the youths as “hooligans” and said the attack was orchestrated.

“The attack is not reflective of the Brandywell community. The people who attacked the fans are disgusting, but the community in Brandywell came to their aid.”

Club statement

Cork City Football Club said in a statement: “The club has been made aware of an incident in Derry where a group of Cork City fans were attacked outside the Brandywell.

“The club utterly condemns those involved in the attack, who in no way represent Derry City FC, their supporters or supporters of the League of Ireland in general.

“We would like to thank those locals who came to the assistance of the Cork City fans and Derry City FC for their subsequent assistance.”