Páirc Tailteann crowned top GAA county pitch
October 21, 2021
Pairc Tailteann Navan
The 2021 GAA County Grounds Pitch of the Year Award has been claimed by Meath’s County Ground at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, with Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork named as the runner up.
Last week, visits were made to five GAA grounds to complete the assessments for the awards scheme.
Based on pitch marks from the referees, the nominated counties (in alphabetical order) were Cork (Páirc Uí Chaoimh), Kilkenny (Nowlan Park), Meath (Páirc Tailteann, Navan), Offaly (O’Connor Park, Tullamore) and Waterford (Walsh Park).
A wide range of measurements and assessments were made by Stuart Wilson (Pitch Manager, Croke Park) and Dr Stephen Baker (STRI) including grass cover, root depth, playing quality, usage, the management programme and resources.
The pitch awards were first carried out in 2017 and the standard of pitches examined has improved considerably over the intervening five years, making this the closest competition yet.
The winners and runners-up will receive prizes from Turfcare, ICL and Campey Turf Care.
Meath as winners will be awarded the trophy at an upcoming fixture in Croke Park in 2022.
