McEleney family speaks out against online abuse following Derry's FAI Cup final defeat

The sister of Shane and Patrick McEleney has spoken out against the abuse suffered by the Derry City players since Sunday’s FAI Cup final defeat.

Sarah Harrigan took to social media earlier this week to condemn the personal abuse, aimed at particular to her two brothers, following the defeat to Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium.

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. Whie they didn’t bring the trophy home this time, they have given the Derry fans a few FAI Cup finals and trophies over the years, including Mickey Duffy.

“But here’s the reality that’s hard to watch: the online and verbal abuse isn’t just hurtful p 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.”

The McEleney brothers now have the unique distinction of starting three FAI Cup finals together for their hometown team, two of which ended in victory.

Invited to elaborate on her post on Radio Foyle’s ‘Northwest Today’ programme, Sarah continued.

“The fans are obviously very disappointed, but I don’t think anybody feels the loss like it like the players and the management. Us as a family, I have three young children so me and my husband were there along with other family members. It’s a hard watch whenever you’re on the back foot so we definitely felt it the next day as well, but we’re very proud of the two boys, and very proud of the team too, because it’s not easy to be humble in defeat and I think they were.”

While expectation was high at Derry City this year, the Candystripes were in the title race right up until the final two weeks of the season. Ultimately, they fell just short of achieving either of their two goals.

“We’ve spoken as a family about this because I genuinely feel it affects us more than it affects them,2 Sarah continued. “Shane and Patrick are very resilient and they are experienced and they are well used to it to be honest, but as a person, I’m not going to lie, I’ve cried over some of the stuff that I’ve read. I’ve laughed at some of the stuff too, because anybody with a footballing opinion could see how much it could affect the players and the team to be dejected.

Shane and Patrick celebrating the 2022 FAI Cup win over Shelbourne with their parents. (Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)

“They’ve had a really, really hard season and if anything, you would love to se the fans get behind them and support them and try their best again next year. I have to say, I think the majority of fans do that, but it’s these minority of online abusers, I don’t even call them trolls anymore, I call them abusers, because some of the stuff that they say is just taken to the next level.”

Seeing comments which questioned her brothers’ commitment to the club especially hurt Sarah and the McEleney family.

“As a Derry woman myself, and yes there are a limited number of Derry players, local players, in the team at the minute, that kind of hurts,” she continued. “There are other ones saying that they want people to leave; these are their jobs. What I can say to people you can talk to and who you can have a healthy conversation with, 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. Nobody knows from one day to the next what these players are dealing with in their own lives and then, having to deal with online abuse, it’s not nice.”

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“I just always think, when I read the abuse, would they actually say that to their faces? That’s the first thing that comes into my head. If we were walking down the street would they turn around and say that to the players and the staff and I don’t think they would. I just think it’s cowardice.

“Shane and Patrick have told us they are not bothered with the online abuse, but that does not help whenever we’re reading it from a family standpoint, because we love them dearly and want to make sure that people know how committed that they are. I just think from an FAI perspective there is probably a lot more that they could be doing to educate and protect people that are in the sport at the minute.”