REFEREE TOMAS CONNOLLY sensationally called off the tie between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians FC in Dalymount Park this evening because of what he deemed an unsafe pitch due to a divot in the penalty box.
Connolly said: “Pitch is not safe for players to play on. I’m not an expert on grounds but in the current state it’s not possible to play the match because of player safety.”
Connolly added that, after speaking with the groundsman, he made the decision to call off the game.
“I spoke with the groundsman and he informed me that it takes eight days for sand to bed down but in it’s current state it was not safe to play on.”
A spokesperson for Bohemians stated his belief that the pitch was fine.
“We looked at the pitch last Friday and our groundsman worked on it and we were under the impression that it was fine.”
The decision to call the game off came 45 minutes before the match was due to take place and with 800 Shamrock Rovers fans due to travel across the city to see the game.
Opposing managers, Owen Heary and Pat Fenlon, refused to give any comment about the issue but both were equally unhappy.
The match would have been Fenlon’s first Dublin derby against his old side since he took over Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago.