Éanna
20/01/2003, 9:50 AM
irishfootballonline (http://www.irishfootballonline.com/news_story.php?newsid=431)
Bohemians and Longford Town fans are up in arms over referee Alan Kelly's decision to postpone last night's match.
Longford had earlier in the day contacted Kelly to gain clearance to get a local referee's opinion on the playability of the pitch but Kelly refused. Ultimately he did inspect the pitch himself until about 6:30 pm, at which time there were approximately 2,000 supporters inside the ground. He called off the match despite protests from both managers and now the game will go ahead next Wednesday pending a noon inspection.
This is the kind of situation that has tarnished the national game in recent years and it is not acceptable that such a decision should be made so late in the day, especially considering the fact that Longford had doubts over the pitch from much earlier in the day.
Bohemians and Longford Town fans are up in arms over referee Alan Kelly's decision to postpone last night's match.
Longford had earlier in the day contacted Kelly to gain clearance to get a local referee's opinion on the playability of the pitch but Kelly refused. Ultimately he did inspect the pitch himself until about 6:30 pm, at which time there were approximately 2,000 supporters inside the ground. He called off the match despite protests from both managers and now the game will go ahead next Wednesday pending a noon inspection.
This is the kind of situation that has tarnished the national game in recent years and it is not acceptable that such a decision should be made so late in the day, especially considering the fact that Longford had doubts over the pitch from much earlier in the day.