Duns consider artificial pitch

Dundalk FC have confirmed that they will be carrying out development work at Oriel Park during the off season and are currently considering the possibility of laying an artificial pitch.

Uefa’s decision to approve synthetic pitches for the 2005/06 season once they meet the necessary qualifications has given the Dundalk board something to discuss over the next few weeks.

Already a number of clubs across Europe have installed the synthetic surface at their grounds including Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic.

In the long term, the artificial surface is thought to be cheaper than maintaining pitches throughout a season, while the also provide a quality playing surface for a guaranteed ten years.

If Dundalk does decide to go ahead with the redevelopment, it would see them as the only club in the eircom League to have such a surface and may give them an advantage in their home matches.

English sides, Queen’s Park Rangers, Luton Town and Oldham Athletic all used artificial pitches during the eighties at a time when all three plied their trade in the old First Division and Dundalk would be hopeful of similar success were they to go ahead with the plan
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