Conditions at Dr. Hyde Park last weeked were not conducive to good football. Players dared not bounce the ball on certain sections of the pitch. Such was the quantity of water, it was virtually guaranteed to be a turnover.
The situation would appear to be even worse this weekend.
Dublin were due to play Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park this afternoon. However, a 9am pitch inspection has deemed the surface to be unplayable.
The game has been moved 44km north to Carrick On Shannon's Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
***VENUE CHANGE*** After a 9am pitch inspection Dr Hyde Park deemed unplayable. Dublin v Roscommon - CARRICK ON SHANNON 2pm please RT
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) April 3, 2016
As you would expect, reaction to the late change of venue has not been positive.
Reprogramming the sat navs, feel for those who stayed in Ros. Treated like shite to be honest #AllianzLeagues #GAA https://t.co/KdqYHmD0nb
— ReservoirDubs (@ReservoirDubs) April 3, 2016
For a full year, the Roscommon county board knew they had the Dubs coming and still couldn't get the Hyde ready. Shambles.
— Malachy Clerkin (@MalachyClerkin) April 3, 2016
Only one train left Dublin in time to get to Roscommon for throw-in. Left Heuston at 8.00am. Game moved at 9.30. What a shower.
— Malachy Clerkin (@MalachyClerkin) April 3, 2016
Given how bad the pitch was last week it seems very unfair that people now have to alter their travel plans with just 4.5hrs notice #ROSvDUB
— Allianz 𝘿𝙪𝙗𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@DubMatchTracker) April 3, 2016
@DubGAAOfficial What a joke
— Wolfe tone (@clank_wolf) April 3, 2016
@DubGAAOfficial What a shambles. It was clear a week ago that it would have to be moved elsewhere.
— Marcas Ó Callanáin (@MOCallanain) April 3, 2016
@JohnFogartyIrl despicable moving it at such late notice after state of the pitch last week and all other games this year moved from there
— Diarmaid (@diarmaide) April 3, 2016
.@RoscommonGAA this is incompetence at its finest, everybody knew it wouldn't go ahead at the Hyde #amateurhour
— Liam Driver (@wmd114) April 3, 2016
@RoscommonGAA Absolut total and utter bollocks, you had all week to move the game. ALL WEEK.. Joke.
— AwayBySakho!!! (@__Wayno__) April 3, 2016
@RoscommonGAA any buses or anyone giving lifts from roscommon town? Staying in town since last night fucking brilliant decision
— Kevin McKittrick (@KEVINMCKITTRICK) April 3, 2016
@RoscommonGAA disgraceful! A blind man could see that pitch wouldn't be playable, #rosdubs
— martintim (@martinthetim) April 3, 2016
@RoscommonGAA ive been up since 6.30 after getting home from London last night u should have known the pitch was unplayable since last week
— Michelle (@TheSparkMellark) April 3, 2016
Last weekend, Dr. Hyde Park did not provide an advantage for Roscommon. The heavy conditions played into the hands of a more physical Mayo side. Given the similar physicality of Dublin, it is perhaps a positive for Roscommon to have the game moved to Leitrim where, hopefully, better football can be played.
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
