KEVIN Doherty slammed an “alleged” Drogheda fan after his side dropped two points away to Cork City on Monday night.
Footage of a post-match spat between Doherty and an individual in the Drogs end of Turner’s Cross emerged after full-time on social media.
And Doherty explained it began as he sought to defend his players after Djenairo Daniels’ 96th-minute leveller cancelled out Shane Farrell’s opener.
The flashpoint came just a week after the FAI Cup holders were expelled from the Conference League due to issues surrounding multi-club ownership rules.
Doherty said: “I had to remind someone after the game, and I really am very, very annoyed about it, what we’ve done for this town and this club over the last while.
“What this group has been through is still killing us. We have consistently had the lowest resources in the league.
“It was no one I’ve seen before, but having a go at the lads for possession . . .
“The supporters here have been brilliant and I’m very disappointed to hear that. But again, I shouldn’t be reacting.
“No one probably even saw them bringing it up and now everyone knows about it.
“All I want to do is defend my players because we’ve been on our knees, and we’re currently on our knees, and we’re trying to keep fighting.
“To hear someone being so ungrateful, I’ll always defend this group.”
And amid links to his former role as Shelbourne manager in the wake of Damien Duff’s departure, Doherty insisted Drogheda’s game is “all I’ll concentrate on”.
Meanwhile, City’s winless run stretched to ten games as a crowd of just 1,815 turned up to watch.
But their boss Ger Nash has defended the Cork City ownership despite fans chanting “we want our club back”.
City’s newly-appointed chief said: “I understand the fans. I could hear it during the game.
“I can promise the fans that the club has backed me since I’ve come to this club.”
