Plastic pitch

[joeraki]

Or field tuff if ya will. Good to see it underway

But seriously who went out ant took a pic of a bit of grass dug up
http://www.dundalkfc.com/Photos/050207_Oriel05.jpg

[eamoss]

I did, they started work about on hour after I left.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/photos/d3_7.jpg

[fgmxx]

Think of it this way.....

its the last time anyone will see the turf on which we won league titles , challenged the best in europe........I could go on.

Well done Eamo!

[A face]

Work begins on synthetic Oriel pitch


The first artificial surface in the eircom League is a step closer to becoming an reality after work commenced on the new playing pitch at Dundalk’s Oriel Park stadium earlier this week.

Synthetic surfaces are now permissible under strict Uefa guidelines, and Dunfermline Athletic in Scotland made the leap to artificial grass by laying the new surface in 2003.


Read more at www.eleven-a-side.com

[Petmuller]

I remember many years ago when the plastic surface was in use in Loftus Road and the general feeling at the time was that QPR had an unfair advantage as it is their ground and they played all their home games on this surface, whereas the opposition only played one game per season.

Do you think Dundalk will have the same 'problem' and will it act to their advantage?

I always thought Dundalk's ground was one of the best playing surfaces in the league, why then opt for a plastic pitch?

[Buller]

they stated that they're cutting down on ground maintaince by using a plastic pitch and can now rent it out 24/7 as another souce of income. i think its a wise move...

[ConfusedBlue]

Sure alot of teams would probably train on astor-turf pitches during the winter months anyway so it shouldn't give Dundalk that much of an advantage

[blobbyblob]

Kilkenny City is thinking of following the same course of action as far as I know. How is it shaping up?

I think it would be a waste of money in Kilkennys situation as they have one of the best playing surfaces in the country as it stands

[eamoss]

http://www.dundalkfc.com/news/050301...Gallery08.html That is how it looked last week.

[A face]

Dundalk pitch debut in doubt


The debut of First Division Dundalk at their brand new FieldTurf synthetic surface may have to be put back until next month after a delay in the receipt of anticipated funding from the Department of Sport.

Dundalk open their league campaign with an away game against Athlone Town next week.


Read more at www.elevenaside.com

[holidaysong]

What crap...Dept of Sport my hole.. Because of them we have to give up a home game to everyone else in the division!

[monutdfc]

Because of them we have to give up a home game to everyone else in the division!

I don't think so - it's just the order of home games that will change. Dundalk have an arrangement with Kilkenny that if the pitch isn't ready in time for the Dundalk - Kilkenny tie will be played in Buckley Park with Kilkenny's scheduled home game in the next round of fixtures being played in Oriel Park (ie they simply swap the first 2 rounds)

[holidaysong]

I don't think so - it's just the order of home games that will change. Dundalk have an arrangement with Kilkenny that if the pitch isn't ready in time for the Dundalk - Kilkenny tie will be played in Buckley Park with Kilkenny's scheduled home game in the next round of fixtures being played in Oriel Park (ie they simply swap the first 2 rounds)

Ah i see... Thanks for that!

[paudie]

Kilkenny City is thinking of following the same course of action as far as I know. How is it shaping up?

I think it would be a waste of money in Kilkennys situation as they have one of the best playing surfaces in the country as it stands

I think one of the reasons Dundalk are getting it is that the pitch could be used for events like concerts, renting to companies etc. Basically as a fundraiser for the club.

[fgmxx]

The Oriel Park surface suffered from a lack of investment for some time , so this new venture probably does make sense in the longer term. Having said that....lets wait and see what the finished article looks and feels like....