ALL WEATHER PITCH DETAILS 


The All Weather Pitch is currently available for booking 
by contacting Paul Dunne on 087 6864448. 

The pitch is 50M x 32M and can be divided
in two by a retractable net to make for two 5 a-side 
soccer pitches (32M x 25M each). 

The two adjacent 5 a-side soccer pitches

The 5 aside pitches are currently availble
per hour on the hour at €40 
while the full size pitch is available at €80/hour.

The full size pitch
 

St. Brigid’s all weather pitch was installed by Prides 
Sports and Leisure.  It consists of the proturf carpet 
which is a patented long pile, sand and rubber infill 
artificial grass that was designed and developed to 
emulate the performance of the best natural grass fields.

Because of the unique waxy resin incorporated into 
the manufacturing process of the proturf fibre, it 
helps prevent abraisions and burns associated with 
sliding on synthetic surfaces.

With the proturf design players can use runners or 
moulded football boots on St. Brigid’s All Weather Complex.


 

 
 
 

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 All Weather Pitch

The pitch, which is 50M x 32M in dimensions,consists of five stages including ground works, fencing, carpet, floodlighting and surrounding running track. The total cost is coming in at E201,801.79
Stage 1- The first stage of the project involved the laying of drainage piping and then a number of layers of foundation stone over this piping to facilitate the draining process. The base-work was carried out by local contractor, Niall Foran.

Preparing the foundation
 
 

The drainage channels
 
 
 

The drainage overview
 
 
 

The first layer of stones over drainage

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Stage 2 The second stage consisted of the fencing, which was supplied and installed by the experienced, Rodgers Fencing Company, of Derry. The fencing is of the highest specifications available on the market and is made to allow for the pitch be divided into two pitches with the provision of a retractable net across the middle. When divided in two it allows for two matches to be played facilitated by two sets of recessed goals incorporated into the side fencing. 
 
 














When the net is retracted the pitch measures 50 metres in length by 32 metres in width and is designed with recessed GAA goals either end to provide a top class GAA training facility.
 
 














The fencing is 3 metre high consisting of 1.2 metre high kick board and 1.8 metre " high heavy duty prosport fencing on top. Furthermore 3 meter netting surrounds the sides with 5 metre netting on both ends. 

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Stage 3  This stage saw the laying of the carpet. The carpet, Pro-turf, was provided by Pride Sports and Leisure. Pro-turf is a long pile, sand and rubber in-filled carpet designed specifically for contact sports. 
 
 

Laying the Carpet














The carpet looks and feels like grass, imitating the bounce of real grass very closely while also designed to minimise the risk of carpet burn and injury.
 
 

The carpet rubber installation is applied















Stage 4  The fourth phase involves the installation of the lighting system which is being provided by Musco lighting of Cork. 
 
 

The system consists of four, 
twelve metre high columns fixed with eight 1500W bulbs.
 
 

Above is one of the four lighting columns. 
 
 

 The fence consists of the kick board which is 
highly durable wisa-board with double mesh pro sport fencing. 
 
 

The first four stages of the development near completion.
 

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Stage 5 The final stage will see the development of a tarmacadam running track surrounding the' All Weather Pitch'. It will measure 170 metres in length by 1.5 metres in width. 
 
 

Ground work for tarmacadam running track
 
 
 
 
 

Completed tarmacadam running track
 

The lighting system is completed 

The tarmacadam running track at night






The "All Weather Pitch" comes in at a cost of €201,801.79.  St. Brigid' s received a grant under the sports capital program 2004 of €80,00O and a grant of €40,000 from the North Offaly Development Fund. This leaves them with a deficit of €81,801.79 to make up. 

The pitch is the first of its kind to be developed by a GAA club in county Offaly. It is being developed to facilitate winter training and will provide for recreational use also. 

The club has received letters of support from over 30 clubs, schools and organisations in North Offaly and has received strong support from the Offaly County Board. Their project has generated a lot of interest and it is anticipated it will provide tremendous benefit for the people of North Offaly both as a facility for recreation and for training. 

 
The completed all weather pitch