There were farcical scenes at United Park in Drogheda tonight as the First Division opener between Drogheda United and Finn Harps was postponed.
Referee John McLaughlin was unhappy with the quality of floodlighting at the venue and called the game off.
Picture by Joe Boland, North West Newspix
The decision was relayed across the public address system ten minutes after the appointed 7.45 kick-off time.
Several bulbs were out on the floodlights and the referee refused to start the game.
The two teams had warmed up and were ready to walk onto the pitch when the doubts began to surface.
The PA announcer apologised to supporters – including a couple of hundred Harps fans – for the ‘cock up’.