Player safety is paramount with pitches

LOST in the furore of a Páirc Uí Chaoimh pitch so soft it was only fit for the county juvenile ploughing championships last Sunday there was a ground at the other end of the country which offered literally polar opposite characteristics.

‘I would not like to be digging a grave in it,’ was Clare manager Colm Collins’ killer line, when quizzed on a Newry pitch which was alleged to have been frozen in parts.

It might even have raised a chuckle had Collins not seen his wing-forward Dermot Coughlan (right) go to ground in severe distress in the opening minute against Armagh.

Within 24 hours, Coughlan underwent surgery to put his ankle back together, but it will take a lot longer to put his season back on track.

Football is a trifling issue when a player picks up an injury like that and Collins appeared to be in no doubt that the pitch was a contributory factor.

If that is true there is a case to be answered as to why the health and safety of players was compromised by a game. The GAA should always satisfy itself that the welfare of players comes first.

They should interview both Coughlan and Collins to assert as to whether they believe that a frozen pitch was responsible for the injury. And if that is the case, they must make sure it does not happen again and ensure that Coughlan is properly looked after if negligence was at play.