Dundalk's pitch and ground discussion thread.

[Dunny]

I searched for a previous thread as i thought i remembered one but couldn't find it.So instead of clogging up the fixtures thread with complaints and other random grievances,post here and lets just talk about the matches over there.

[patrickccfc]

I was half thinking of setting this up as I mentioned it on the fixtures thread.. hopefully it does stay exclusively here now

[nigel-harps1954]

How about just stop talking about Dundalks pitch?

[White Horse]

Is every thread that mentions Dundalk not about the "plastic pitch"?

[The Donie Forde]

Just can't remember this now, but when was the last game on grass at Oriel?

[White Horse]

Just can't remember this now, but when was the last game on grass at Oriel?

About 10 years ago, the new pitch was laid in 2005.

[Nesta99]

Prior to 2005 languishing in the first division the old grass pitch was barely a sand pit. If it was still there today it would probably get as much criticism as our lush plastic version. Mickey Fox did his best but god love him he hadnt much to work with!

[Charlie Darwin]

I was in Oriel Park once and there were crisps and minerals all over the pitch but none in the shop.

[Macy]

I was in Oriel Park once and there were crisps and minerals all over the pitch but none in the shop.

You could see all the pitch?

[White Horse]

You could see all the pitch?

He's a Rovers fan, he would have been on the pitch with his brolly

[ThePrisoner]

Can any of the Dundalk fans advise as to why they have the current pitch? Is a cost issue? Less maintenance? Always available? Weather proof? Is it available for hire?

[Yossarian]

Can any of the Dundalk fans advise as to why they have the current pitch? Is a cost issue? Less maintenance? Always available? Weather proof? Is it available for hire?

I believe we have the pitch for the sole purpose of antagonising opposition fans.

[ThePrisoner]

I believe we have the pitch for the sole purpose of antagonising opposition fans.

It certainly works.

[White Horse]

Can any of the Dundalk fans advise as to why they have the current pitch? Is a cost issue? Less maintenance? Always available? Weather proof? Is it available for hire?

Initially, the idea was that it would increase revenue through hiring it out and also reduce maintenance costs.

Those two anticipated advantages have reduceed over the years, as experience has shown that these pitches do need quite a lot of maintenance and disimprove with overuse.

If Dundalk decide to continue to use an articial pitch it will be because the costs and disruption of reverting to grass is too high.

[ThePrisoner]

Initially, the idea was that it would increase revenue through hiring it out and also reduce maintenance costs.

Those two anticipated advantages have reduceed over the years, as experience has shown that these pitches do need quite a lot of maintenance and disimprove with overuse.

If Dundalk decide to continue to use an articial pitch it will be because the costs and disruption of reverting to grass is too high.

In my view I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to revert to grass without closing OP for a portion of the season. If you were to lift the surface at the end of October, do whatever needs to be done and then lay the turf how long would it take to be ready? Maybe with a mild winter and a growth spurt it might ready in time. May have to play the first few games away. I think you're stuck with it for the foreseeable future.

Another issue, why all the black pellets on the pitch. Could you not get them in green? Would look a lot better.

[Macy]

In my view I think it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to revert to grass without closing OP for a portion of the season. If you were to lift the surface at the end of October, do whatever needs to be done and then lay the turf how long would it take to be ready? Maybe with a mild winter and a growth spurt it might ready in time. May have to play the first few games away. I think you're stuck with it for the foreseeable future.

Ages since a winter football thread as well, but it's another one for the armoury... Dundalk would be able to go back to grass if we had winter football!*

*I'm ignoring how much worse the away section would be in the middle of winter.

[Ezeikial]

Ages since a winter football thread as well, but it's another one for the armoury... Dundalk would be able to go back to grass if we had winter football!*

*I'm ignoring how much worse the away section would be in the middle of winter.

Winter football would bring additional arguments for keeping an artificial pitch

[seand]

I was in Oriel Park once and there were crisps and minerals all over the pitch but none in the shop.

That would've been Rovers fans throwing stuff onto the pitch. Again.

[White Horse]

Another issue, why all the black pellets on the pitch. Could you not get them in green? Would look a lot better.

New pitches use green pellets which improve the cosmetic appearance of the pitch.

I would expect Dundalk to use green pellets should they lay a new artiifical pitch for next season.

[Macy]

It seems a lot of the assumptions about the benefits of artificial pitches were based on the old style one's that must have needed feck all maintenance. Not sure what type artificial they are, but I work beside UCD, and even they're back/ open to rent pitches seem to have a significant amount of maintenance going on every week.