I've watched some matches at Oriel Park and Cliftonville and Crusaders' stadiums, and my two cents is that, if there's some discussion about if artificial pitches cause more injuries or not, it surely makes the matches worse. Those clubs have some of the best and most modern artificial pitches and the ball still bounce like in a tennis court. One Dundalk fan I talked to said that playing in a different surface than the rest of the league would give them some advantage against the away teams, and I don't have the right of telling what Dundalk should or should not do with their money, but from the point of view of a neutral simply enjoying the match those plastic fields are a disgrace.
I am not defending it. I'm just pointing out that there is no evidence to back up the negativity surrounding such surfaces posted by yourself and others here.
Personally I don't care what surface is in Oriel. The only way I have a preference is that I'd want the cheapest option for the club. I don't know if synthetic is cheaper than grass over it's lifetime. Oh, I do actually like the fact that unless there is a heavy snowfall, if I go to a match in Oriel, it will be played.
In terms of installing one it's obviously more expensive but the income you can get from renting it out to local clubs, schools etc is great and as long as they were good true surfaces I wouldnt mind seeing a few more in the league. As you said it means games are never called off and it's better than playing on a beach which many of the leagues pitches resemble at times.
BetweenTheStripes.net - Home of Between the Stripes LOI podcast.
These pitches are 10 a penny at the moment. Some junior clubs have installed them and therefore affects income. I don't know if they are worth the installation costs any more.
I'm actually surprised that Dundalk never split the pitch into 3 and have 7 a side pitch rental when it is not in use for 11 a side. I used to play in Loughlins town sports centre in dubin about 15 years ago. They had one of the crappy carpets on the pitch but it was always busy because they divided it in three using nets.
Waterford 1-0 Limerick
Cobh 1-1 Cork
Behan from the spot for us.. Any cause for concern limerick fans? 3 games 2 defeats and a draw am i right? only pre season i know but....
Ah right didnt see the team line ups.. any friendlies on the scotland trip?
Cobh held there own again tonight, hit the bar and the post and led for a long time, took a pen to break them down.
They'll be tough to beat, in Cobh especially. A lot of their side would have a fitness advantage at the moment, they've been playing Munster league haven't they?
Upwards to the vanguard where the pressure is too high.
Ya a few of the team were senior league and another few currently playing with the under 19"s.Couldnt make it tonight but hope they might have got a handy crowd for a friendly,thats a good pre season so far-not sure if there are anymore lined up.....any idea on att Peter P??
Marty
There was 8 of the starting 11 tonight that had been playing senior league, there was 600 plus there I reckon
how many of that 600 were city fans do ya reckon?
I’m not pedantic...I’m merely overly concerned with minute details.
Probable half....
Marty
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