The sister of Derry City captain Patrick McEleney has described online abuse after the team’s FAI Cup Final defeat as “toxic and hurtful”.
Derry City were beaten 2-0 by underdogs Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday.
Around 20,000 Candystripes made the journey south and returned home deeply disappointed after a match that was viewed as a last chance to salvage something from the season.
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Sarah Harrigan is the sister of Patrick and Shane McEleney, who both played at the weekend.
In a heartfelt social media post, she said: “As the proud eldest sister of two incredible brothers, I feel I have to say a few words.
“My brothers gave everything on that field for the final, even a few stitches and listening to abuse. While they didn’t bring home the trophy this time, they’ve have given Derry fans a few FAI cup finals and trophies over the years, as has Mickey Duffy.
“But here’s the reality that’s hard to watch: the online and verbal abuse isn’t just hurtful — it’s toxic. They’re human beings and no one feels the weight of a loss more than the players themselves.
“To everyone who supported them and cheered them on, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. To those who choose to throw negativity at them following a tough loss, please take a moment to remember they’re someone’s brother, son, and friend.
“The game is about passion and resilience, not tearing people down.
“To my brothers, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Keep holding your heads high! And just because they are on the pitch doesn’t mean you can speak to them however you want.”
Sarah said the online abuse they and other players were subjected to reduced her to tears.
Derry City players leave the pitch after the FAI Cup final defeat to Drogheda United
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, she said: “Shane and Patrick are very resilient and experienced, and they’re well used to it, but as a person myself, I’m not going to lie, I’ve cried.
“It’s this minority of online abusers… I don’t even call them trolls any more; I call them abusers because some of the stuff they say is just taking it to the next level.
“As a family, I can only speak for myself, but it does impact me. Luckily enough, my father doesn’t have social media, my mother does.
“It does definitely affect you when you read things about your own brothers.”
The defeat capped off a difficult season for Derry, who were at one time said to be in a “two-horse race” for the league title, but ended up finishing fourth.
It also means they have missed out on a chance to play European football next season.
Derry City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Final match between Drogheda United and Derry City at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Sarah is a season ticket-holder and felt the online abuse overstepped the mark.
Comments that some players “weren’t fit to wear the shirt” were hurtful, she told the BBC, and showed a lack of understanding about how much effort the players put in throughout the season.
“There are other comments, saying that they wanted people to leave, but these are their jobs,” she said.
“Behind the scenes, the commitment that these players put in week in and week out over the years, I admire it because they miss out on family functions, they miss out on funerals, they miss out on christenings, and that’s the commitment they give to their club.
“And nobody knows from one day to the next what these players are dealing with in their own lives and then having to deal with the online abuse; it’s not nice.”
Sarah said Derry City and the FAI needed to take a tougher stance against the people who abuse players and officials online.
In her view, the club and FAI should have policies in place to make sure that they would be “held accountable”.
Derry City and the FAI were contacted for comment.