Bohs v Shamrock Rovers called off due to unplayable pitch - Twitter Reacts

The Dublin derby clash between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers has been called off by the referee Tomas Connolly after he deemed the pitch unplayable due to a damaged penalty spot.

The match was called off 45 minutes before kick-off in what is a showcase fixture in the League of Ireland schedule between two bitter rivals.

A statement from the FAI confirmed the postponement of the game.

The Football Association of Ireland today (August 18) confirmed that following a pitch inspection, this evening's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers has been postponed.

The decision was made by Tomás Connolly, the referee in charge of the fixture, after he inspected the pitch and deemed it unplayable due to repair work that had been carried out inappropriately.

A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

The news was greeted on social media with general disbelief. Here is a sample of the reaction to the news:

Match off. Dalymount pitch deemed unplayable.

— Shamrock Rovers F.C. (@ShamrockRovers) August 18, 2014

BOHEMIANS v SHAMROCK ROVERS has been Called off due to a damaged penalty spot. Or as we like to call it a PR Own Goal. #ETN#WTF

— ETN (@ExtratimeNews) August 18, 2014

The, eh, offending penalty spot pic.twitter.com/2Fpn7er87b

— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) August 18, 2014

@ExtratimeNews Is the ref the same guy who called off the Garth Brooks concerts?

— Leo Kelly (@LeojjKelly) August 18, 2014

@ExtratimeNews is this a joke?

— Mark (@MarkyDub) August 18, 2014

Pitches unplayable in August #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld

— Dodge (@seidodge) August 18, 2014

You'd think, based on the pic from Dalymount that someone could have lifted a large sod from behind the goal and repaired that quickly?

— John O'Sullivan (@johngosullivan) August 18, 2014

Grass pitches eh?

— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) August 18, 2014

20 minutes to kick off here in Inchicore. Pitch is looking well

— St Patrick's Ath (@stpatsfc) August 18, 2014

Pitch at Dalymount Park not fit for Premier Division. Been case for some time. Unacceptable. End of. So much for licensing requirements #loi

— Robert Reid (@RobertReid64) August 18, 2014

Hi @ExtratimeNews , just wondering why you aren't providing live updates of the Bohs - Rovers game ?

— Anto Hayes (@anto_hayes29) August 18, 2014

@ExtratimeNews another pic of the pitch lads. Pretty bad state in fairness. Wouldn't hold up to a Cruyff turn. pic.twitter.com/s56nK2l2Ye

— Mikey ? (@flyboy_mikey) August 18, 2014