Recognition for pitch condition at Pairc Tailteann

Pairc Tailteann in Navan is one of the best playing surfaces in the country it emerged this week following the announcement of the third annual GAA inter-county National Pitch Awards.

The Navan venue is due for ambitious redevelopment off the pitch with work scheduled to begin in 2020, but the pitch is in top class condition and took the runner-up position in the prestigious awards this week behind Nowlan Park in Kilkenny.

Nowlan Park also won the award in 2018.

The venues were assessed by Dr Stephen Barker of the Sports Research Institute and Stuart Wilson, Pitch Manager at Croke Park and the NGDC in Abbotstown.

The process involved scoring and feedback from referees during the Allianz Leagues this year and took into 
consideration a pitch quality assessment based on performance standards, construction, management programme,  environmental conditions and usage levels.

There then followed a site visit where tests were conducted that included general quality and presentation, ground  cover, annual meadow-grass control, broad-leafed weed content, pitch markings, condition of the high wear area  including the goal area and the 13-metre line.

Other factors considered were hardness, traction (stability), moisture content and the uniformity of these three parameters, maximum root length and the depth of the root mass.

Nowlan Park retained its crown as the best GAA inter-county pitch in the country while Páirc Tailteann was the runner-up this year.  

Other highly-commended venues included Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, McGovern Park in Ruislip, O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny and Pearse Stadium in Galway.

Semple Stadium in Thurles was awarded the inaugural prize in 2017.

“It is great to see the effort and professionalism that is being put into the pitches. This is the third year we 
have been judging and standards are continually rising which is also very encouraging,” said Stuart Wilson.