PITCH PERFECT? This was the scene at MacHale Park in Castlebar on August 25 last as resurfacing work continued on the playing surface. Pic: Michael McLaughlin
Mike Finnerty
NEW Mayo GAA chairman Seamus Tuohy says that MacHale Park is ‘on target at the moment’ to be ready to host the Connacht championship clash between Mayo and Galway in three months’ time.
With MacHale Park closed for resurfacing works on the main pitch since last summer, and an initial target date of May 1 set for the re-opening of the facility for matches, there are serious concerns that the earlier April 24 deadline may not be met.
However, Tuohy said last week that ‘at the moment, the pitch will be ready’ to host the Connacht SFC quarter-final.
“I have had discussions with the likes of Michael Diskin [Mayo GAA assistant treasurer], the guy who was over the project. It’s on target at the moment, there's no point in saying any different.
“Fertiliser was put out in the last number of days, it has progressed pretty well, and the sod is developing on target. But like everything else, we are weather dependent.
“We had a quite mild winter to date, and we are looking for a favourable couple of months in the lead-up to April. But our focus is to have that pitch ready for the game versus Galway on April 24. That’s where we stand at the moment.
“All I can say at this stage is that we will monitor that on a week by week basis going forward right through February and March,” he added. “Once a decision has been made we’ll sit down with the various stakeholders and make that decision.
“But at the moment, the pitch will be ready.”
