Waterlogged pitch back in focus as Bohs v Rovers war rages 

Bohs manager Alan Reynolds has hit back at Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley

Bohemians Manager Alan Reynolds during the game with Rovers. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

As the war of words between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers cranks up, the circumstances around the waterlogging of Tallaght Stadium for the season opener are back in the spotlight.

South Dublin County Council, who own the stadium that Shamrock Rovers are anchor tenants in, suspended three staff arising from the postponement of the February 7 fixture against Dundalk.

Heavy rainfall had occurred across the country during that afternoon but Tallaght, known as the best surface in the country, was the only pitch deemed unplayable across the weekend series of fixtures.

The FAI confirmed a ‘complaint’ had been received about the nature of the cancellation and will “provide further information if appropriate after this process.” The match was refixed for 16 days later, on February 23, with the teams playing out a 1-1 draw.

With the season drawing to a close on October 30, Bohs manager Alan Reynolds has chosen to raise the matter again.

It came in an official club bulletin, breaking their media ban self-imposed in response to the FAI granting Rovers an extra day’s rest ahead of Monday’s meeting of the teams at Dalymount Park.

Victory for the Hoops extended their lead to six points with three games left but the clash was marred by a brawl at full-time which resulted in four red cards. Bohs’ assistant manager Stephen O’Donnell and his captain Dawson Devoy were sent off, along with Shamrock Rovers teenage duo Michael Noonan and Naj Razi.

“This is not the first time that Shamrock Rovers have had a game rescheduled this year to their advantage under questionable circumstances either,” Reynolds noted.

“The pitch in Tallaght being mysteriously overwatered during a rain storm at the start of the season led to a game being rescheduled to their advantage.

“It was never adequately investigated by the league, and I think everyone can read between the lines as to what happened there and what was allowed to happen.

“So when there isn’t a level playing field and the league is happy to look the other way, someone has to take a stand at some stage.” 

In Friday’s series of Premier Division matches, Bohs host Waterford at Dalymount, seven days after being denied an FAI Cup final place by the Blues, while Rovers travel to take on Galway United.