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Gareth Fullerton

Linfield boss David Healy condemns ugly scenes as club issues statement

David Healy branded Tuesday night's ugly scenes at the Oval as a "poor, poor night" for Linfield Football Club.

The Big Two derby was stopped twice after various objects were thrown onto the pitch from some Blues supporters behind one of the goals.

Glens goalkeeper Aaron McCarey and captain Marcus Kane appeared to be struck by items in what Healy labelled "unacceptable" behaviour by those involved.

Read more: Irish Premiership recap as Glentoran earn big derby win at the Oval

"It is unacceptable," the Linfield boss said.

"I am not going to stand here and condone any idiot who wants to throw stones or bottles or whatever else. It is unacceptable.

"We have been on the end of it at different times at different grounds, I don't need to name them. It is never nice.

"In sport there are winners and losers, and sometimes a draw. Over the years I think we have been humble winners, but we have also been humble losers.

"And tonight on the playing side I think our players accepted defeat too easily, and the scenes you don't want to see, I won't stand and condone them.

"It is a poor, poor night for the football club."

Healy added: "As Linfield through and through as I am, I am gutted with how things transpired on and off the pitch. It is disappointing.

"I know we have many genuine supporters who follow this club to the end of the earth to make sure we're well supported and that people talk about us in the correct manner.

"Off the pitch we didn't do that tonight, and on the pitch we didn't do it either. As a club tonight we feel as if we let people down."

A double from Bobby Burns and an Aidan Wilson goal earned the Glens an emphatic derby win in East Belfast.

The result catapults Rodney McAree's men back into title contention, but it is the scenes off the pitch that sadly gained most of the headlines.

Healy said: "Sometimes you get humbled and embarrassed, and tonight was one of those nights. I love this football club, I have given every ounce of my concentration and passion to this club.

"And tonight was a night, as a football club, we let ourselves down on and off the pitch.

"I take the blame and whatever else for the inept performance. It was unacceptable.

"We got in at 1-0 at half-time and you hope you get a reaction but we didn't. Glentoran, to their credit, probably looked hungrier and got what they deserved tonight.

"Myself, as manager of Linfield, got what I deserved tonight.

"Did I get it wrong? I don't know. I am the manager and it falls on my head and I have always taken that.

"I have to accept that and try and do something about it as quickly as possible. I hope I can, and I hope I have the know-how to get the reaction I want.

"We will see when we play Carrick on Saturday if we have that belief to finish the season as successful as previous seasons."

Meanwhile, Linfield say they will launch a "full investigation" into the incidents.

The club said in a statement: "Linfield FC strongly condemns the actions of a small number of individuals who threw objects on to the pitch from the terracing behind the goal during the Premiership game at the Oval on Tuesday night.

"Their actions do not represent Linfield FC and the vast majority of our loyal supporter network.

"This club will launch a full investigation into all matters surrounding the events at this fixture and will not be making any further comment at this stage."

An Irish FA spokesperson told the BBC: "We are aware of the incidents and will work proactively with the relevant parties on next steps."

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