Watching the hurlers of Cork and Wexford grappling with the uneven underfoot conditions at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday last did not make for good viewing.
It was no better for the Cork and Kildare footballers who opened proceedings at the venue, with major holes and divots emerging on the playing surface.
On top of the cost overrun on the new stadium, which led to Croke Park taking over the running of the venue, and Cork's poor start to the Allianz League in both sides, this latest development only adds to the series of unfortunate events bedevilling GAA in the southern capital.
The Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium team have engaged the Sports Turf Research Institute, who are international pitch specialists, to advise on the best way forward.
On Monday, a decision was taken to stage the Cork v Clare Allianz Hurling League game on Saturday, 16 February at Páirc Uí Rinn.
And while much focus is now on Páirc Uí Chaoimh's 'poor sod', Croke Park Park also had issues with its playing surface shortly after it was redeveloped.
Players slipping and the agonising over stud selections were real problems. In 2009, a returfing operation took place, with 1500 rolls of turf installed on the pitch. The GAA subsequently bought a farm in north Dublin to supply grass and sod for headquarters..
In light of the latest developments in Cork, RTÉ Sport sought the advice of an expert in laying pitches.
Colin Delaney, a contractor with Midland Sport Surfaces, who service Westmeath, Longford and Offaly, was quite blunt in offering his assessment on what needs to happen at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
"To do a proper job on it you would need to take it out of commission for a year," he said.
"The roots aren't obviously going down properly and that's why the grass is cutting up so easily.
"I don't know whether the wrong grass seed was used."
Indeed, Delaney felt that surface was never up to scratch
He added: "From the minute that pitch opened, I said 'what the hell is going on'.
"Why would you let cameras in there to film a pitch considering the state it is in? Classic problem from day one.
"You also have the issue that a lot of the pitch is in the shade.
"If it is a sand-based pitch which it more than likely is, then it is designed for use in winter and summer.
"You need to put the sand on top of the soil and get the roots down into that soil in order for the grass to start growing. Of course, there could be too much sand.
"Last summer I laid a pitch for a club and told them not to play on it until next May. That means don’t play until I tell you to do so.
"It's take a minimum of 12 months to do the proper job."
We all now marvel at Croke Park's surface and Páirc Uí Chaoimh could replicate what was done on Jones' Road.
"They could strip off the surface and lay down a roll-out sod," Delaney revealed.
"You're talking serious, serious money, however."
