Probe after firework hits player

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Cliftonville fans threw fireworks onto the pitch at Windsor Park after the final whistle blew.

A "full investigation" is to be held into an incident in which a Linfield player was struck by a firework, the Irish Football Association has said.

It happened at the at the end of the County Antrim Shield final at Windsor Park in Belfast on Tuesday night.

Conor Hagan fell to the ground after being struck on the back seconds after the final whistle, however, the midfielder escaped injury.

The firework was thrown by Cliftonville fans whose team had won the match 2-1.

"The Irish Football Association will be conducting an investigation upon receipt of the official referee's report," said a spokeswoman.

"The association's disciplinary committee is responsible for all disciplinary matters involving senior football and will work in conjunction with the event organisers, the County Antrim Football Association, and the clubs concerned in dealing with this issue."

'Fools'

Mr Hagan, a former Portadown and Distillery midfielder who signed for Linfield in May this year, said those who had let off fireworks at the match were "complete fools".

"I do not know if it was aimed at me or not. I am just glad I was not injured," he said.

"It bounced off my back and the noise shook me more than anything."