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.
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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.
I was half thinking of setting this up as I mentioned it on the fixtures thread.. hopefully it does stay exclusively here now
How about just stop talking about Dundalks pitch?
Is every thread that mentions Dundalk not about the "plastic pitch"?
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Donie Forde
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!
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?Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
He's a Rovers fan, he would have been on the pitch with his brolly ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Macy
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrisoner
It certainly works.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yossarian
Initially, the idea was that it would increase revenue through hiring it out and also reduce maintenance costs.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrisoner
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Another issue, why all the black pellets on the pitch. Could you not get them in green? Would look a lot better.
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!*Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrisoner
*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 pitchQuote:
Originally Posted by Macy
That would've been Rovers fans throwing stuff onto the pitch. Again. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
New pitches use green pellets which improve the cosmetic appearance of the pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrisoner
I would expect Dundalk to use green pellets should they lay a new artiifical pitch for next season.
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.
Good to read Daniel McDonnell in today's Indo previewing the Dundalk v St Pats match and highlighting the Oriel Park pitch as a factor for St Pat's. Buckley mentioned in the Presidents Cup post match post match interviews also.
Great that the hype continues and hopefully it spooks the Saints again tonight
I think we should paint the pitch black and white just to annoy people even more than usual
If anything the pitch should suit Pats as they are one of the few visiting team that play football on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
However, once you get something into your head....
Twas the pitch that got two Pats players sent off on Friday.
Green pellets cost substantially more than black.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
It should be noted that Dundalk would have a greater advantage with a grass pitch against the visiting team. It is a fact that Dundalk play better on grass, therefore visiting teams would in all likliehood be hammered mercilessly into the (organic) turf. Other clubs should be pleading with Dundalk to keep the plastic.
The pitch is woeful, lads.
We'll only be able to make a true comparison once Dundalk start visiting the likes of Russia and Ukraine in the Champions League.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Total disaster!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheridan
Crusaders not a possibility? or many of Scandanavian sides either..Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Crusaders doesn't count because all their players go on holiday for European games. I will permit you to play in Scandinavia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Crusaders pitch is not comparable. It is of different construction.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
As a point of interest, while there already is at least 4 artificial turf pitches across the 3 top leagues in the North, there are currently 13 clubs with planning applications in for artificial turf pitches, with most of those for their primary pitch.
What's the attitude like to the artificial pitches up north Mr Parker? Do you have to put up with as much whining?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
Whining because it doesn't look pretty (green with a strong hint of black) and it allows football to be played. What a backwards nation we are where people prefer pitches that looked pretty (green with a strong hint of brown) and don't allow football to be played.
There was at the start, mainly from 2 managers, but it has eased off considerably. Most of those who argued against lost their arguments given the state of their own grass pitches. The main arguments were that they caused more injuries, which is nonsense. The latest is some fans pointing at a couple of cases in the USA where people have claimed cancer concerns from the rubber crumb, ignoring of course the numerous diseases etc you can get from a soil based pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by seand
Most clubs and fans have now realised that they give little or no advantage, are here to stay and just get on with it.
From having seen games on both surfaces, Cliftonville's is far superior to Dundalk's. It might just be newer but it played truer
Who'd have thought it, progressive thinking in Northern Ireland!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
The key with artificial turf is what is underneath it and good regular maintenance. Too many I've seen obviously don't have the regular brushing or deep cleaning that is required.
Pitches in the North that I've seen all seem to be far better quality than Dundalks. I've little issue with artificial surfaces (though like most I'd prefer grass where possible). I understand that they make sense form a cost point of view, and I'm sure far fewer games are called off in the Irish League than would be done so on grass, but the ball doesn't bounce right.
People say it isn't maintained properly, I don't know, but City have played at Dundalk, Crusaders and Cliftonville and from what I saw the Dundalk pitch was the worst of the three by some margin.
We played Shels in pre season on the Astro in Lexlip and it was one of the best I've seen, no spraying up of those little pellets, even bounce, true passes, if everything pitch in the league was an Astro of that quality it would only be good for us.