Meath Forum

Pairc Tailteann- Pitch Of The Year (Again)

(Oldest Posts First)

I had to laugh when I heard at the weekend that PT is in line for pitch of the year 2023. There is no doubt that it looks great all year round, and a credit to the team that look after it. Yesterdays hurling semi final was a case in point.

I would, however, make the point the point that it would be better off entering a lawn of the year competition or some other gardening award given the small number of games that are actually played on the pitch each year.

I think it's a fact that only 1 underage club game is played on the pitch each year. Basically if you are a club player, starting out in a club nursery, your first chance of playing in Pairc Tailteann is if you make it right through to play in a minor division 1 final. Think about that, a child starting off at 6 or 7 will probably be an adult before they will play in their county ground.

I think as many juvenile finals should be played in PT as possible but this goes against the current county board ethos of removing as much competitiveness out of the underage grades.

GoalsWinGames (Meath) - Posts: 305 - 18/12/2023 11:08:33    2517273

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I know you've a totally different bone to pick but there's easily over 70 games a year played on PT between club and county, before you include schools and smaller stuff. Factor in the lack of floodlights, plus having to spare the pitch during the winter and it's clear PT is used on average several times per weekend from about April to October.

It's hardly underused.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1664 - 18/12/2023 13:07:41    2517292

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Dont forget Cuman Na mBunscoil games aswell

lagoreX (Meath) - Posts: 222 - 18/12/2023 13:22:40    2517296

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I think the comments about the number of games on the pitch are way off.

It takes a huge number of games.

And as for being minor when players get to play there first, thats simply ignorant & incorrect. Witnessed 8,s 9,s & 10 yr old upwards at schools finals recentley, of which there were a lot of finals played there.

Seems like complaining for the purpose of having something to complain about

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6347 - 18/12/2023 13:25:52    2517297

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Replying To Jinxie:  "I think the comments about the number of games on the pitch are way off.

It takes a huge number of games.

And as for being minor when players get to play there first, thats simply ignorant & incorrect. Witnessed 8,s 9,s & 10 yr old upwards at schools finals recentley, of which there were a lot of finals played there.

Seems like complaining for the purpose of having something to complain about"
I specifically said club teams. I understand that the cumman na mbunscoil games are allowed in there which I think is great. I think there should be more juvenile club games, particularly finals, allowed in.

I don't have a particular bone to pick with anyone. I just think winning these accolades should not be at the detriment of games being played in the stadium. 99% of young players will go through their underage career without playing in PT.

GoalsWinGames (Meath) - Posts: 305 - 18/12/2023 14:38:16    2517308

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I think there is truth in this. Two meath secondary schools in a leinster hurling final earlier this year. Played on the astro in Dunganny where as st pats played a leinster football first round in PT the same day. I guess its who you are?

hedgefund (Meath) - Posts: 12 - 18/12/2023 15:32:38    2517315

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I think we have to decide if we are in the business of growing grass or promoting our games
Where I agree it is a great pitch and credit to the people who look after it but we must keep focusing on why it's there,
There are too many times when it has became a negative with regard's too letting friends and family on to the pitch after important games to celebrate or console their loved ones/ club mates. These are community based games and this needs to be promoted not stopped
This was the case even yesterday

Awaywin (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 18/12/2023 16:33:07    2517325

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Replying To GoalsWinGames:  "I had to laugh when I heard at the weekend that PT is in line for pitch of the year 2023. There is no doubt that it looks great all year round, and a credit to the team that look after it. Yesterdays hurling semi final was a case in point.

I would, however, make the point the point that it would be better off entering a lawn of the year competition or some other gardening award given the small number of games that are actually played on the pitch each year.

I think it's a fact that only 1 underage club game is played on the pitch each year. Basically if you are a club player, starting out in a club nursery, your first chance of playing in Pairc Tailteann is if you make it right through to play in a minor division 1 final. Think about that, a child starting off at 6 or 7 will probably be an adult before they will play in their county ground.

I think as many juvenile finals should be played in PT as possible but this goes against the current county board ethos of removing as much competitiveness out of the underage grades."
I don't see why anyone would laugh at Pairc Tailteann's surface being named as pitch of the year. It's a fair achievement and a super surface.
There are over 70 games a year played there, plus some senior county training as well as Cumann na mBunscol finals. Our central location means that it often gets picked as a neutral venue for games as well.
It would be great to think underage finals could go there as well, but the reality is that there are nearly 35 finals between U17 and U15 hurling and football every year in all competitions. And that is without U13 finals, which were done away with this year and would add close to another 30 finals.
Maybe every Division 1 championship final in the grades could be played in Pairc Tailteann, it happens at minor but the U15 Division 1 Cups are named after O'Mahony's (football) and Trim (hurling) legends, and played in their home grounds as a result.

Roger (Meath) - Posts: 478 - 19/12/2023 11:33:42    2517377

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Replying To Roger:  "I don't see why anyone would laugh at Pairc Tailteann's surface being named as pitch of the year. It's a fair achievement and a super surface.
There are over 70 games a year played there, plus some senior county training as well as Cumann na mBunscol finals. Our central location means that it often gets picked as a neutral venue for games as well.
It would be great to think underage finals could go there as well, but the reality is that there are nearly 35 finals between U17 and U15 hurling and football every year in all competitions. And that is without U13 finals, which were done away with this year and would add close to another 30 finals.
Maybe every Division 1 championship final in the grades could be played in Pairc Tailteann, it happens at minor but the U15 Division 1 Cups are named after O'Mahony's (football) and Trim (hurling) legends, and played in their home grounds as a result."
Would have to agree with this. Pairc Tailteann's surface is brilliant and something Meath supporters can be proud of. And it's not like it's underused. There's loads of club championship games there each year. Under 20 and minor county games. Primary schools games. Pats Navan use it for hogan cups. Obviously full slate of Meath football games and in recent years some double headers with Meath ladies football and Meath hurlers. Hopefully within 2 years it'll have a new stand and good floodlights and the grounds will somewhat be able to stand up to the excellent pitch which when compared to the county pitch of Mayo, Leitrim, Offaly to name a few is a top class surface year round

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1523 - 19/12/2023 15:45:03    2517405

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