Perfect pitch in the Pairc

Pairc Tailteann in Navan has claimed the 2021 GAA County Grounds Pitch of the Year Award ahead of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork which was 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 winner and runner-up will receive prizes from Turfcare, ICL and Campey Turf Care.

Meath will be awarded the trophy at a fixture in Croke Park in 2022.