A northside pub has responded after fans expressed angered at being refused entry for the Shelbourne vs Dundalk game on Friday night.
A spokesperson for Kennedy’s said that people turned away at the door as “they didn’t suit the profile of the pub”.
They told Dublin Live: “People were turned away. They could be fans, or unknown to our door staff, but Shelbourne fans were not turned away from Kennedy’s because of soccer.
“We did turn away some people as they didn’t suit our profile of pub.
“We had fans in last night before and a load after the game so we do not apologize for running a strict pub. All codes are welcome in Kennedy’s of Drumcondra.”
Tolka Park was a sellout for the occasion, with the Reds not only returning to the top flight for the first time since 2013, but hosting the defending champions in their first home game back.
Shels lost 2-1, with Andy Boyle and Patrick Hoban doing the damage in the first half before Gary Deegan's well-struck volley gave the home side hope.
Shels and Dundalk fans claimed that the pub refused them entry before and after Friday’s game.
A number of Reds supporters took to social media in the aftermath to complain.
One wrote: "Bizzare carry on from Kennedy's in Drumcondra turning away Shels and Dundalk fans last night. Apparently they have a 'no football fans policy'. You’re welcome though if you’re a Welsh rugby fan or English football fan."
Another commented: "I won't be frequenting Kennedy's ever again. Sure they didn’t want my custom when in a Shels shirt anyway. Never had a problem with me in a Dubs or Ireland rugby shirt."
A third, who claimed Shels fans drank there as regulars, said: "Fans of Shelbourne have drank in Kennedy's for donkeys years, causing no trouble. Shame on Kennedy's. Pathetic carry-on. We took our custom elsewhere where we were more than welcome."
A Facebook commenter, on a post promoting the Home Farm club draw, said: "Are Home Farm a football club? Just going off your policy tonight of no football fans allowed in your establishment."
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