Armagh Club football & hurling

[illdecide]

The playing surface is ready winsam, but the lights are not up yet.  It is a more difficult issue given the security presence so I think it is taking a bit more time.

As regards the reasoning behind asking for the Athletics Grounds, they have the best lights I presume in Armagh, and anyone who knows, there is a big difference in playing under lights and in normal daylight.  It was a reasonable request and I would think that the County Board have good reasons for their initial decision but given the nature of the game we are preparing for, some leeway is understandable.

I'd be very surprised if they are any better than the 'bridge's. 

I think the bridge lights are 400 candle power, but armagh & enniskillen are 600 which is whats need for TV

Not nit picking here just thought i'd tell you so you'll know for again. The lighting is measured by a term called "Lux". A standard football (club) pitch is usually lit up with an average Lux of 200 - 250 and if hurling is played then the Lux would increase to about 350 Lux. As for the County grounds they would be minimum 350 Lux and a maximum of (how much do you want to spend)

[winsamsoon]

I seen you up an cherry picker one day saan getting the lux blew of ya.

If you could have seen the lux they were giving you from the ground.

[brokencrossbar1]

So if you are all to be believed then, there would be a fairly significant difference bewteen the training field lights that we have(even when they have a full set of bulbs working, which isn't always guaranteed) and the lights in Enniskillen.  That being the case, the request by us for use of the lights to adjust to playing under these lights is not that unreasonable.  I wonder if Ballinderry had any issue with this in Derry, I don't know and am wondering if they have good lights or if the were allowed to train in the likes of Ownebeg???i think it is called.

[amigo]

So if you are all to be believed then, there would be a fairly significant difference bewteen the training field lights that we have(even when they have a full set of bulbs working, which isn't always guaranteed) and the lights in Enniskillen.  That being the case, the request by us for use of the lights to adjust to playing under these lights is not that unreasonable.  I wonder if Ballinderry had any issue with this in Derry, I don't know and am wondering if they have good lights or if the were allowed to train in the likes of Ownebeg???i think it is called.

I think Ballinderry got new floodlights last year! They might have held a McKenna Cup game under them if memory serves me right!!

[illdecide]

Well most new lights installed within the last 2 -3 years would be a very high spec as most of the clubs are spending big on lights and i'd say a good few would be capable of hosting inter-county matches. As someone mentioned before the lights for matches on TV must be a certain specification which most other clubs won't need to worry about so that's why the county grounds are lit up like daylight...Hurling gets a higher spec than football because of the ball being smaller and moving at much faster speeds.

so your answer BC1 is that Brewster Park and the Athletic Grounds would be lit up to the same spec hence Cross looking to train on it...

[illdecide]

I seen you up an cherry picker one day saan getting the lux blew of ya.

If you could have seen the lux they were giving you from the ground.

Easy you...i remember that and it was the next moring after our annual dinner and the hangover with that cherry picker swaying like a bucking bronco was too much...

[winsamsoon]

It was the week before i was talking about when the picker had to be sent back. Sure i wasn't at the annual din dins

[DoYerJob Linesman]

We have new lights in Ballinderry, and they are a great job.

I am almost certain that Ballinderry trained in the Athletic Grounds the week before our semi final with Cavan Gaels.

[SidelineKick]

I thought training wasn't allowed on the Athletic Grounds?

[winsamsoon]

Now ins't this interesting. If ballinderry were allowed to train in the Athletic grounds and they were refusing the Cross this would be typical of the county board.

Personally i think all Gaa resources should be available to all sections within the GAA. The grounds are maintained by the people of certain clubs but surely it is part of the gaelic ethos that what belongs to one should be used by another (within reason). Or am i failing to realise that the GAA is becoming more and more like a business every day.

[The GAA]

There's either a stipulation or at least an understanding that teams can get on a session on a neutral venue they are due to play on. this wouldn't apply in this case to cross

[corn02]

But would still be weird that they will accomadate a Derry team but would not help their own.

[IVEDECIDED]

I may be completely wrong here. ( I THINK IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE) but reading the press all week and in particular Donal Murtaghs comments - it seems to me Cross(uncharacteristically) are making excuses to lose this game. All ive heard is complaints about the lights and the timing of the game! It will be the same for Ballinderry too Donal son! If I was him id worry less about the wattage in light bulbs and more about the 15 snarling Derry men out to exact revenge for a farcicial final two years ago.   !!

[DoYerJob Linesman]

Confirmed, Ballinderry DID train in the Athletic Grounds on the Sunday before the semi final.

[IVEDECIDED]

The difference is they were playing there the following week - Cross are playing in Enniskillen! Completely different scenario lads.