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GAA happy with Croker pitch quality

Croke Park as it was for the U2 concerts
Croke Park as it was for the U2 concerts

Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna is satisfied with the condition of the Croke Park pitch since it was re-laid following the U2 concerts just ten days ago.

The pitch has stood up well to the seven games played on it since, although there seemed to be a lot of slipping during the Mayo-Meath game last Sunday.

Noticeably though it rained before that match and McKenna told the Irish Independent: 'It rained during the second game which made it very greasy and they were certainly different conditions last Sunday to the previous week, but the pitch is designed for all weather conditions.'

'We are completely focused on the surface since it was laid and are monitoring it very closely. I walked it after Sunday's matches and again with the ground staff this morning, and there doesn't seem to be anything to be unduly concerned about.'

McKenna then confirmed that the GAA are in the early stage of a feasibility study on the installation of an athletics track and have already sought preliminary advice from a specialist.

However, he denied recent speculation they would approach the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) about hosting a Grand Prix event.

'The pitch length (165m) is fine but it is a question of whether we would have the room for the bends,' he said.

'It would also mean having to take away some of the barriers at Hill 16 but, when we constructed it, we allowed for that.

'The dimensions are extremely complicated and it is something that is only at a very, very preliminary stage.'

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