Sport

Doolin criticises state of Sligo pitch

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION/Sligo Rovers 0 Drogheda Utd 0:  "IF WE are looking for an improvement in the standard of …

Mon Mar 17 2008 - 00:00

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION/Sligo Rovers 0 Drogheda Utd 0: "IF WE are looking for an improvement in the standard of football in the Eirecom League it cannot be achieved on a pitch like that," was Paul Doolin's reaction after Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers played a scoreless draw at the showgrounds on Saturday night.

The Drogheda boss thought a draw was a fair result but he was highly critical of the playing surface at the showgrounds.

The pitch was "shocking, horrendous and a danger" was Doolin's reaction after heavy rain caused the surface to cut up as the game progressed. Doolin also had doubts about the standard of football expected in this season's league.

"I did not see much football so far and it may not be as good as people think. Hopefully the football will improve as the league progresses but the standard could well turn out to be the opposite to what people expect," said Doolin.

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Both sides took the field pointless following defeats in their opening games of the season but it was the reigning champions who came closest to scoring in a game that offered little in the way of sparkling fare but, nevertheless, had some edge of the seat moments.

Former St Patrick's Athletic player Anto Murphy and Fahrudin Kudozovic threatened the Drogheda goal early on but the probing runs of Guy Bates was an even bigger threat at the other end.

Eamon Zayed had a great chance to put the visitors ahead on 66 minutes when he carved a path through the home defence but Brush again came to his side's rescue with a dramatic save from point blank range.

A Kudozovic free-kick grazed a post after 78 minutes as Sligo staged a late rally and Drogheda keeper, Mikko Vilmulen had to be at his best to keep a sizzling shot by substitute Matthew Judge out a minute from time.

Cobh Ramblers and Galway United drew 1-1 at St Colman's Park on Saturday night. Kieran O'Reilly put Cobh ahead on 63 minutes but Derek O'Brien equalised for the visitors.

SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Coleman, Butler, Peers (McKenzie 66 mins), Almeida, O'Grady, Murphy (Cash 62 mins), Ventre, Boco (Judge 73), Kudozovic, Cretaro.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Vilmulen, Kendrick, Tanbouras (Baker 87 mins), Gartland, Robinson, Hughes, Shelley, Byrne, Cahill, Bates (Thiam 75 mins), Zayed.

Referee: R Winters (Dublin)