Shamrock Rovers chairman Joe Colwell yesterday issued an apology for the behaviour of some of the club's supporters at Dalymount Park on Friday night and insisted that every effort would be made to ensure that those responsible are prevented from attending future games.

The National League has already said that it will hold an inquiry next week into events at the ground where a group of around 20 supporters attacked a number of young Bohemians' fans. A banner made by Ger O'Leary in honour of his late son Diarmuid was also stolen and is believed to have been damaged.

Bohemians secretary Gerry Cuffe said yesterday that there was little more that the host club could have done to prevent the trouble but he would be sitting down with local Gardai to discuss the incident.

"We had stepped up security as it was and to be honest if we were to play Rovers again this weekend I don't see what more we could do," he said.