Efforts continue to restore Pairc Tailteann lights

Meath's Pairc Táilteann will not have the floodlights available at the venue until March or April of next year it emerged at a meeting of the Co Board on Monday night at Dunganny.

That's what chairman Conor Tormey stated when the question was posed about Meath's forthcoming NFL games and a game in the O'Byrne Cup on Wednesday 6th January which may now be played in Ashbourne.

Work is on-going on the restoration of the lights that were dismantled for safety reasons earlier this year.

Loscher Moran Consulting Engineers were commissioned by Glenline Construction, on behalf of Meath Co Board, to carry out a survey.

The purpose of the report was to outline the existing condition of the poles at their bases and the existing bolts at each pole. A survey was carried out last March.

The report highlighted that the condition of the bolts at each of the poles was unacceptable and required immediate attention.

It was also noted that some of the ploes were constructed with the pole off-centre on the foundation.

These foundations did not appear adequate to support the loading from the poles.

As a result of the summary and recommendations, Pole 1 was deactivated and lowered to the ground on the 27th April.

The top section of the masts on the remaining floodlights were taken down on the 10th June.

Leinster Council and Croke Park received regular updates.

The remaining sections of the poles were lowered in July and have been kept in storage.

Meath GAA Co Board officials have since met with the chairperson and other members of the National Facilities/Health & Safety Committee Infrastructure Committee in Croke Park, and Leinster Council representatives, to seek assistance in restoring the floodlights.

Croke Park officials are supportive, but insisted that a rigorous tendering process is carried out for the re-installation works and that process is underway.