Time to stop investing in Croker

Boxtyeater wrote:Wonderfully acrimonious posting on this thread....

NSG and Samins feud has the potential to bring down the whole play-ground
Will feud of the year be one of the catagories at the 2009 GT awards?

The thing is they do up Croke Park and yet right at the business end of the championship its unavailable because of a U2 concert, then the pitch is in an awful state for matches thereafter. The roof could also have been extended out more without it interfering with the game, if your in a row before around MM its not the best place to be on a wet day.

I agree completely with the first sentance of the OP. After that ... well I'm not so sure. Croker is done. We have far more pressing challenges facing us in the coming years. We now have a world-class stadium that is capable of showcasing the major games of the year.

I don't know whether Casement would be the best option for the big Ulster games. I have a fondness for Clones but why not give it a go for a few years. I'd have loads of places to stay in Bfast which would be great for staying over after a game.

Now through knowing a development officer for the national lottery im pretty sure they fund gaa clubs and counties throughout the six counties most recently in the Athletic grounds and prior to this the opening of a museum at carrickmore county tyrone.

Athletic Grounds committee were constantly applying to the national lottery, they never got a penny. Ulster Council then said they were going to provide money, never seen a penny from them either. Thge Athletic Grounds was totally self funded (maybe why it took so long but we're getting there) the Armagh county board are still trying to get some financial aid to erect a seated stand but no doubt if we cannot get any help the work will still be eventually done.

clash-of-da-ash wrote:The thing is they do up Croke Park and yet right at the business end of the championship its unavailable because of a U2 concert, then the pitch is in an awful state for matches thereafter. The roof could also have been extended out more without it interfering with the game, if your in a row before around MM its not the best place to be on a wet day.

Clash part of the problem with extending the roof is that you actually reduce the amount of natural sunlight getting onto the playing surface and thus you end up with major problems with the surface being patchy in places and not knitting etc etc. This was one of the major problems Man Utd faced when they increased capacity by adding to their stadium, they were replacing their surface every 6-8 months.

bocerty wrote:

clash-of-da-ash wrote:The thing is they do up Croke Park and yet right at the business end of the championship its unavailable because of a U2 concert, then the pitch is in an awful state for matches thereafter. The roof could also have been extended out more without it interfering with the game, if your in a row before around MM its not the best place to be on a wet day.

Clash part of the problem with extending the roof is that you actually reduce the amount of natural sunlight getting onto the playing surface and thus you end up with major problems with the surface being patchy in places and not knitting etc etc. This was one of the major problems Man Utd faced when they increased capacity by adding to their stadium, they were replacing their surface every 6-8 months.

Boc they have had that problem (and the solution for years).
ever at a match and look in the tunnel where the team buses pull up and you see big white frames.
Those frames carry a special lamp that the put on the pitch to stimulate the grass growth.
roof wouldn't be a headache at all

JimWexford wrote:

bocerty wrote:

clash-of-da-ash wrote:The thing is they do up Croke Park and yet right at the business end of the championship its unavailable because of a U2 concert, then the pitch is in an awful state for matches thereafter. The roof could also have been extended out more without it interfering with the game, if your in a row before around MM its not the best place to be on a wet day.

Clash part of the problem with extending the roof is that you actually reduce the amount of natural sunlight getting onto the playing surface and thus you end up with major problems with the surface being patchy in places and not knitting etc etc. This was one of the major problems Man Utd faced when they increased capacity by adding to their stadium, they were replacing their surface every 6-8 months.

Boc they have had that problem (and the solution for years).
ever at a match and look in the tunnel where the team buses pull up and you see big white frames.
Those frames carry a special lamp that the put on the pitch to stimulate the grass growth.
roof wouldn't be a headache at all

Jim i knew there was a solution i just wasnt aware that Croker were using it - that knocks that problem on the head