Turners Cross win Pitch of the Year
Credit:
Turners Cross Stadium in Cork, home ground of Cork City FC, has won the 2011 Airtricity League Pitch of the Year award, following an inspection by the Irish Institute of Sports Surfaces (IISS). The winner of the award was announced after the IISS visited the three shortlisted grounds, Sligo Showgrounds, Tallaght Stadium and Turners Cross, following nominations by the Airtricity League referees and players, in association with the PFAI.
The award, which is organised by the FAI, IISS and specialist sports turf fertiliser company Whites Amenity, will be presented at half time during the FAI Ford Cup final at Aviva Stadium on November 6th.
IISS Managing Director Donal Kearney said,
"The Airtricity League Pitch of the Year Award has been created to highlight the hard work clubs place on their playing surfaces, which provide a better and safer playing surface for players. We hope that this award provides due recognition of this and encourages others to continue to improve the standards of the playing surface. Congratulations to Turners Cross on their achievement and our thanks to Whites Amenity Sportsturf company for their support."
Jer Doran of Whites Amenity also commented;
'We are delighted to sponsor this prestigious award for the FAI and the IISS. As a supplier of sportsturf products to the industry we realise the importance for clubs in using the appropriate fertilisers and grass seed to ensure a high standard playing surface. Whites Amenity supply products nationwide to both football clubs and golf courses and are proud to be involved and congratulate Turners Cross on their achievement'
Fran Gavin, Director of the Airtricity League added, "The quality of the playing surfaces in the Airtricity League has improved immensely over the last number of seasons. It is fitting that Turner’s Cross has won this award after begin short-listed for the past 2 seasons, and this is a credit to the Munster F.A. and their decision to prioritise the quality of the playing surface. Cork City’s home ground at Turners Cross is a great example of the measured improvement of the pitches and Airtricity League grounds, and winning this award is a just reward for the dedication of the Munster Football Associations and their ground staff. I would also like to thank the players (through the PFAI) and the referees for their assistance in this award.”
Ger Delaney, of the Munster F.A. said; "The Munster F.A. is delighted to have won the Airtricity League "Pitch of the Year" award. This award is a reflection of our determination to place the condition of the playing surface at the top of its list of priorities at Turners Cross, but most of all is a credit to the three FAS employees who work tirelessly to keep the surface in top condition, and I would like to congratulate them.”
