Waterford midfielder Liam Keaney finds a grassy patch at Jackman Park last Friday evening.
Limerick 0; Waterford United 0
Limerick and Waterford United did their best to play a game in Jackman Park on Friday night last, but failed in their quest to make a football match break out. The reason was the dreadful playing surface, which was nothing short of a disgrace, and one wonders how in this day and age that a venue like this is passed fit to host games in the League of Ireland.
Sand was spread all over the playing area, especially in the middle of the park and in the goalmouths and there is no doubt whatsoever that any number of players could have been injured because it was impossible to control the ball. Weeds were popping up all over the place also and all in all this was a night to be forgotten on the banks of the Shannon. Thankfully the director of the Airtricity League Fran Gavin was present to witness the shocking state of the playing area, and by all accounts he made his feelings known to the Limerick chairman Pat O’Sullivan after the game.
The two points dropped by Waterford means that they now trail the leaders Derry City by seven and to make matters worse they lost their two central defenders during the course of the second half. Kevin Murray suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury and he is expected to be out of action for another three weeks. His partner in defence Seamus Long was sent off four minutes from full-time, and added to his yellow card total, he will miss the next two games.
Waterford United played reasonably well in the first half despite the underfoot conditions and Vinny Sullivan tested the home goalkeeper Dave Ryan in the 2nd minute. Eight minutes later Alan Carey played the ball down the left flank to Vinny Sullivan who crossed to the back post only for Liam Kearney to shoot wide from a good position.
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