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Well lads i have to say it doesn't matter who builds the pitch (Prunty or Richardson's) as they build it to what Engineers design it for, yes the playing surface is what you see and if it's given the proper attention then it will look and be the part. The pitch is designed on it's usage and if it's not given enough time to recover from matches or training then it will deteriorate (some quicker than others depending on it's design and quality). As for the drainage it again is designed by the engineers who will tell Prunty/Richardson's what sewers to put in and where, the problem with sewers is they could be perfect for the pitch and are capable of taking any flash floods. However, they are only as good as the sewers upstream to which they discharge so what I'm saying is if the sewers out on the road are not capable of taking the flash floods and the system backs up then the water from the pitch will not have anywhere to go...know what I'm saying...

anyway getting back to them 2 contractors mentioned, they are both reputable with Prunty slightly ahead on quality and this is only because Prunty only takes on what he can manage whereas Richardson's take everything on and usually have too many contracts on in anyone time and sometimes neglects them a bit as he's too much on although i would think Croke Park will receive his full attention.

the firm in Scunthorpe will have got info from Croke Park on the type of surface needed for both Hurling and football this info is passed to an "Agronomist" who design the actual make up of the surface i.e. 100mm top soil with 50mm of some type of sand which will have 225mm pea gravel (that sort of sh1t) and the sod will be grown in Scunthorpe to the Agronomist's spec and shipped across where Richardson's will then apply their orange fingers hands to it

Here here.  Richardsons arent exactly renowned for being Gaels.  They  do however hellp fund the Northern Ireland International Team.  Probably the greatest indication of their love for the GAA (see paragraph below from Lisburn Distillery website ( think theymught play in theChristy RIng Cup!!). 

The IOG in partnership with the Irish Football Association are proud to announce the continued support from the following sponsors :


Barenbrug UK in association with local supplier JA Humphrey.


Clive Richardson LTD in association with Horta Soils.



If the STRI were emplyoyed to do this pitch, I wonder were local experts , with GAA roots (such as Prunty) given a chance to apply for this work?

If not, then it also shines a bad light on the STRI and their knowledge of the GAA and how it works.  British consultants giving the job to a British company using British Soil...so much for "Guaranteed Irish"!!