Player safety forces GAA to move game from Pairc Uí Chaoimh

THE GAA has been forced to move Cork’s next NHL game out of Pairc Uí Chaoimh because of concerns about player safety arising from the state of the pitch and the recently developed city stadium.

Despite costing somewhere between €85m and €110m to redevelop the ongoing problem with the playing surface was one of the main talking points from last Sunday’s double-header, even though both footballers and hurlers lost their League matches.

Croke Park bosses, who are now managing the day to day running of the stadium in conjunction with the Cork County Board issued a statement on Monday stating that the hurlers’ next game against Clare will be moved to Pairc Uí Rinn while a watching brief will be kept in relation to the condition of the pitch down the road in Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

“The playing surface at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for last weekend’s Allianz Leagues games was unacceptable. The heavy pitch-side traffic, associated with the construction works for the new stadium build, has had a detrimental effect on the pitch.

“As was evident [on Sunday], in winter conditions, the surface is likely to cut up badly. However, as weather improves the grass roots will develop and playability will improve dramatically.

“The stadium team have engaged the Sports Turf Research Institute, who are international pitch specialists, to advise on the best way forward. Their preliminary results suggest a pitch replacement, later this year, will be required.

“In the short term, we will continue to use best endeavours to ensure the surface is kept to an acceptable standard.

“Our primary concern is player safety, and if an acceptable standard cannot be achieved we will not risk player injury by fixing games in the stadium.

“The Cork v Clare Allianz Hurling League game scheduled for February 16 will now be played at Páirc Uí Rinn.

“Thereafter, we will assess the pitch each Monday, in advance of the upcoming Allianz League games, and advise CCCC accordingly.”