John Caulfield on abandoned cup tie: ‘The conditions were getting worse. We can see that. We were 2-0 up but that is the way it goes’

Macdara Ferris reports from UCD Bowl

John Caulfield was obviously disappointed that his Galway United team were 2-0 up at half time in UCD only for the match to be abandoned due to an unplayable pitch following heavy rain.

Speaking to extratime.com standing under the eaves of the UCD Bowl dressingroom having dried himself off a bit, Caulfield had no harsh words for referee Rob Harvey though who called the game off at the break.

“I think to be fair to the ref he said 'We'll start and we will see how we get on',” said Caulfield. “At half time they would reassess it if it kept raining.”

The rain had been falling on and off for much of the afternoon in Dublin but Storm Betty arrived in full force just before kick-off and puddles were beginning to form on the pitch prior to the 7.45pm start of the game.

And that the conditions just got worse, resulting in puddles increasing up the middle of the pitch throughout the first half with the incessant rain. The players looked to avoid passes along the ground through the central areas to avoid the ball sticking in the puddles.

By the time Harvey blew up the whistle right on 45 minutes, Caulfield’s men were 2-0 to the good. There was some effort to try and clear the puddles at half time but to no avail. The game has been re-fixed for this coming Monday.

“It was a 50/50 call on it. It is disappointing for us as we were 2-0 up with 45 minutes to go. We have to go home and come back up on Monday.”

Ref has come out but no teams - Rob Harvey having a good look now pic.twitter.com/l6vROxTde0

— Macdara Ferris (@macdarabueller) August 18, 2023

Caulfield had no harsh words for referee Rob Harvey though who called the game off at the break.

United had taken the lead in the 16^th minute as Ed McCarthy’s touch took the ball into the net after good work from Rob Manning and Manning doubled the lead on 34 minutes with a fine finish from a run from deep.

“Manning was doing well. He came across well for the first goal and there was luck with Ed’s finish. The second goal was a great finish by Manning. Wassim Aouachria had two one-on-ones and we had five chances in the first half. Brendan (Clarke) made a very good save.

“We had looked dangerous and lively. I thought we played the conditions well. We were happy at half-time going in 2-0.”

His team were ready to play changing their kit ready for the second half but having walked the pitch again after the break Rob Harvey made the correct call to not finish the match.

“The conditions were getting worse. We can see that. If you are 2-0 down you are happy to call it off. We were 2-0 up but that is the way it goes. You have to get over it and move on.”

UCD: Kian Moore; Brendan Barr, Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Evan Osam, Adam Wells; Dara Keane, Adam Verdon, Sean Brennan; Danu Kinsella Bishop, Daniel Norris.
Subs not used: Sam Healy, Ryan Bowden, Ciaran Behan, Harvey O'Brien, Luke O'Regan, Donal Higgins, Harry Curtis, Mikey Raggett, Jake Doyle.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Evan O'Connor, Killian Brouder, Rob Slevin, Regan Donelon; Vincent Borden; Edward McCarthy, Ronan Manning, David Hurley; Wassim Aouachria, Stephen Walsh.
Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Oisin O'Reilly, Francely Lomboto, Conor McCormack, Maurice Nugent, Darren Clarke, Aodh Dervin, Rob Manley, David Tarmey.

Ruaidhrí Higgins: ‘We’ve a lot of players who are in the early stages of their European careers - it will have done all of them the world of good’ https://t.co/YsEaKIn3CKpic.twitter.com/8OtIkT9dVX

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) August 18, 2023