Derry City FC assure fans 'This will not happen again' after Maginn floodlights fiasco
The floodlights for Derry City’s next match at Maginn Park will be hooked up to the mains as a safeguard against the incident that marred the historic opening match at the Buncrana ground on Friday evening.
The Candy Stripes first ever ‘home’ game against Limerick FC had to be abandoned midway through the first half when the generator powering the lights packed in and the pitch was plunged into darkness.
One of the engine parts in the generator ignited, burning the loom that protects essential wires.
With the scoreline of the lively encounter sitting at 1-1, dismayed fans were sent home after the damage was deemed too severe to repair in time to restart the match.
Jim McConnell, chairman of the subcommittee of the Inishowen Football League tasked with overseeing the upkeep of the ground, confirmed this week that the situation was being remedied.
He told the Derry News: “A three phase electricity supply is already in place at Maginn, and we will be getting the floodlights connected to that in time for the Dundalk match on Monday.
“The generator will also be repaired, but it will only be used as a standby from here on in.”
The incident was a massive wet blanket on a much-hyped occasion – the first time Maginn Park has hosted a senior League of Ireland match in its 60 year history - and McConnell admitted it was a real blow for everyone concerned.
He said: “You can imagine how disappointed everybody was. So much work and preparation was put into this over the last few months.
“Diarmuid O’Brien (IFL secretary) has been liaising with Derry City since January. Billy Scampton (Derry City chief steward) had a first class match planned. The Guards had their bit done. Everything was in place and there was a real carnival atmosphere at the ground.
“The fans were out in force and it was all going so well – it’s such a big let down for everybody that something major like this happened.”
As headquarters of the Inishowen Football League, Maginn Park is in use on a regular basis for training sessions and matches, and there had been no issues with the generator before Friday evening.
Said McConnell: “We had the lux (intensity) of the floodlights tested on February 20 to ensure they met with the league standard, but the wattage used for the Derry City match was no greater than what would normally be used.
“We have the floodlights on regularly here and there has never been an issue. We were expecting a few teething problems here and there ahead of this match, but to be honest with you the generator was the last thing on my mind.”
Buncrana man McConnell, who is also chairman of the FAI’s Domestic Committee, was acting as the association’s delegate for the match.
He said: “It’s embarrassing, surely, and really disappointing for all the fans who came out to enjoy the occasion.
“But we have a chance to redeem ourselves now with the Dundalk game on Monday. We are very proud of the facilities we have here and there’s no better match than that to get things back to the way they should be.”