Even though a game between Bohs and Rovers attracts just 3,500 spectators . . . less than 5% of an AllIreland Final crowd . . . both events require the same level of Garda resources. "It would be a Category A match for us, requiring the public order unit, the dog unit, the mounted unit and around 100 gardai, " said Insp Tony Gallagher from Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station in Dublin. "These groups are fuelled on aggression and intent on attacking each other. They have to be watched."

The stringent measures are taken in response to what gardai say is a notable increase in violence and hooliganism . . . a problem that is exacerbated by the rise in drug abuse.

"They are using drugs to get the psyche right for aggression and violence against rival groups, " said Gallagher. "They're drinking and then they're snorting lines of cocaine and meeting up at a prearranged point, 20 minutes before the match, ready to fight. They are totally fixated. They look beyond you to see their target. They are totally intent on bypassing you to get to the other group."

As well as arranging meeting points outside the stadium grounds, some groups seem to be forming alliances with other clubs.

Recently, a group of Wrexham supporters, known for causing trouble at games, attended a match with Bohemians supporters. Gardai later discovered that some Bohs supporters had booked accommodation in Dublin for the group.

"We followed the Wrexham group and discovered that the Bohemians supporters had booked accommodation for them to come here and assist tactically using the methods they used in Wales. We have to step up to that."

While the Bohemians and Rovers soccer clubs are working to stamp out violent elements among supporters, Gallagher said Stadium Banning Orders were needed to refuse access to troublemakers.