A number of commentators from Kerry, Dublin, Mayo have now commented that rain on the Croke Park pitch makes it an ice rink and virtually one of the worst surfaces to try and play ball on is slippery/wet weather. So why is this the case and can the GAA do anything about it for next year?

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 22/09/2016 14:28:11    1917945

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/peter-mckenna-says-retractable-roof-not-practical-for-croke-park-355369.html

Before this thread deve;lops into debate about a retractable roof have a read of this.
Joe Kernan raised the issue after the rain spoiled last year's final.

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1974 - 22/09/2016 15:06:32    1917966

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 22/09/2016 15:45:54    1917985

It's 100% not fit for purpose

You shouldn't slip that much

We've all played the game, we know what wet days are like

The pitch is not good enough at present and simply not fit for our sports on a wet day

The skill sets require the ability to make quick turns etc. etc.

There is no confusion about this. It's not fit for purpose.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 23/09/2016 10:39:53    1918266

Not talking about a roof (although it may need to be looked at 20 years down the line when Croke Park needs to be re-developed/modernised again).
There appears to be no soakage in the grass...the rain/moisture just sits on it.

Many Dublin and Mayo scores came from the opposition loosing the ball far to easily. That was not just down to the player in question but the surface had a large part to play in my opinion.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 23/09/2016 11:14:55    1918284

It's a bit ridiculous that the weather can have such a massive impact. It wasn't even that bad a day rain wise, you'd have worse days down in Tralee in February with less slipping. You take a look at Darragh O'Se talking about the brand new ball as well and how slippery the O'Neills footballs are when they're new - it's a small point but obviously has a big impact and makes for a defenders day.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 23/09/2016 11:42:41    1918300

It is very apparent when even there is a light drizzle the amount of players that slip in Croke Park, particularly noticeable last week. Also potentially dangerous if landing on one foot from a high catch.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4896 - 23/09/2016 11:46:02    1918304

There are 2 problems.

Both can be fixed in time for the replay, but won't be.

Surface is not suitable for football in wet. Another embarrassing showcase match.
Sand could be spread. Less cutting to reduce the density of the grass.

Bigger problem is the O Neills ball. Impossible to retain possession in the wet. The best players in the country cannot hold onto the ball, cannot consistently solo the ball or take points.

The surface of a rugby ball is lightly scuffed so the players can hold it in the wet. Hence rugby matches are not generally ruined by wet weather.

The GAA have no ability to see common sense solutions. Too afraid to take any decisions. The result is our sport looks ridiculous. Almost completely stripped of skill and continuity.

But it doesn't matter because the pitch and the ball LOOK NICE. Forget about the players sliding across the pitch on their arses.

SirStrawHat (Dublin) - Posts: 58 - 23/09/2016 12:37:41    1918345

Diarmuid Connollys leg went from under him early on the last day, Could quite easily have been seriously injured.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 23/09/2016 12:42:42    1918348

According to the GAA website it's one of the best pitches in the world:

The Perfect Pitch

The pitch at Croke Park is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Games that have been played on the surface include Gaelic games (Hurling, Gaelic football, Camogie), International Rules, Rugby and Soccer. - See more at: https://crokepark.ie/stadium/technology/pitch#sthash.W9FMAM3k.dpuf

Pitch Makeup

The Croke Park pitch covers an area 145m long by 88m wide with full grass cover and stability all year round. At ground level the drainage system installed is connected to huge suction fans which allow us to blow air through the pitch and suck water out. These pipes are covered with a 300 mm layer of permeable pebble stone which has a drainage rate of about 900 mm per hour. Over this, a carefully selected Wexford sand forms the lower rootzone into which the undersoil heating system is installed. During the returfing operation in July 2009, 1500 roles of turf were installed on the pitch in just 3 days with games played immediately afterwards. The pitch also has a fully automatic irrigation system which allows water application for grass growth and preparation for play. The pitch has a suspended water table construction with a gravel base, linked to an In-Situ Air Sparging System. This allows the stadium to ventilate the pitch in warm periods from the base and to remove water from the profile in wet periods. The undersoil heating system works on a series of hot water pipes transferring heat to the sand rootzone. The sand continues to a depth of 260 mm with a specialist fibre stabilising agent tilled into the sand to keep the surface stable. On top of this is a 40 mm specialist sod which is a 100% natural sandy loam soil. The pitch is turfed with a custom turf specifically grown for the strength and stability needed for Gaelic Games. The pitch sward is 60% Poa Pratensis and 40% Perennial Ryegrass which gives the pitch exceptional stability. Strict pitch performance criteria are maintained and records are available for inspection for pitch hardness, traction, infiltration, soil moisture, ball rebound and shock absorbency. The pitch is manned and maintained by professional ground staff with a fleet of modern equipment. The aim is to present the pitch to the same exacting standards for every event held within Croke Park.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 23/09/2016 13:22:34    1918373

Sure is the grass even Irish ? ;) - I heard some UK company "grow" the grass and then transport to Croker?

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11230 - 23/09/2016 14:13:31    1918404

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 23/09/2016 14:22:07    1918408

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 23/09/2016 14:23:40    1918411

SirStrawHat (Dublin) - Posts: 58 - 23/09/2016 15:09:20    1918436

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 23/09/2016 15:16:33    1918439

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 23/09/2016 15:44:29    1918460

Can't believe the use new O'Neill's ball everyone knows how slippy they are when brand new and they have to be wore in .There's some sort of a lacquer on the new balls.

The pitch is terrible, you can clearly see players being too careful about there movements and fearful of turning too quickly also it' seems very hard or skiddy as the ball flies off the surface on a wet days which is dreadful for football as all players want the ball bouncing in front of them and not straight into their chests.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 23/09/2016 16:49:05    1918481

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts: 1270 - 23/09/2016 23:27:10    1918592

Replay should be in McHale Park with no Dubs allowed in Bacon Factory End (younger posters ask granddad).

liner (Mayo) - Posts: 756 - 24/09/2016 18:16:09    1918720

liner (Mayo) - Posts: 756 - 24/09/2016 18:17:35    1918721