Showgrounds-Worst pitch in Ireland?

**shedhead** · 30/04/2006, 7:46 PM

If any of ye watch the post match interview with Pat Fenlon on shels web he comments on how he believes the showgrounds is the worst pitch in Ireland. Knew it was bad, but the worst.also commented on how sean and the rovers players said it to him as well, and although he believes the ground is looking very well, with gud stand, dressing room etc etc, that maybe we should invest more into our pitch. To be honest he is perfectly right. the pitch is a disgrace and not helping our team play the football it can. A better pitch, with a better standard of football can only help increase the gates. Does anyone know what if anything can be done to improve the pitch without relaying it?and how much would it could to improve it a gud bit?

**avvenalaf** · 01/05/2006, 2:05 AM

Of course something can be done. I remember when Steve Cotterill was manager and we played Shels in the league Cuo Final first leg, Damien Egan described the surface as being as good as Tolka. Look at Flancare.

**trevy** · 01/05/2006, 9:25 AM

It must be bad if it is worse than the RSC pitch

.The RSC looks like loads of landmines have gone off under it as its so uneven and bumpy.

**The Stars** · 01/05/2006, 9:51 AM

well at least its flat,unlike the brandywell.....agree that it needs to be improved though.
Its funny in the interview when he is saying the pitch is bad and you see the groundsman behind digging the pitchfork into the soil.

**Anto McC** · 01/05/2006, 10:04 AM

Its as bad a pitch as i have seen in about 2 years and the other pitches i have seen as bad,were all towards the end of the season,its only 8 games in so can you imagine how bad it'll be at the end of the season

**Gareth** · 01/05/2006, 10:08 AM

I did find it funny editting the interview to see the ground man appear with a pitchfork just as he is talking.

**Rory H** · 01/05/2006, 10:30 AM

you might here me sean connor laughing when fenlon blames the pitch on elw wednesday!tis a disgrace though

**Fivesilver** · 01/05/2006, 12:54 PM

It's annoying to have the pitch in that state, particularly since it's hurting us as much as anyone else.

Everyone likes to think their team plays the prettiest football, of course, and of course we've produced a mix of skill and hoofing, but definitely, the best and most effective stuff we've been producing so far this season does appear to be when we keep it on the floor and string passes together.

We've fielded sides in the past who've got more out of the long high ball forward, but this isn't one of them.

So as a matter of urgency, the club has to look into what can be done with a surface that's not allowing us to play the game the manager and players want.

**Guts&Glory** · 02/05/2006, 4:51 PM

here is just no excuse for it tehy have plenty of time to prepare for the season and get the pitch in good nick.

You could see the ball dipping and boblling when the players were knocking it around on the ground. The grass also looked like it was let grow long (or ceratinly longer than usual) and then cut the day before the game but still seemed look a bit sunday morning at the park as they cut have cut a bit more off it.

Connor isnt trying a couple of tricks from his time spent with Mourinho a la Barcelona is he??