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National Forum

Openess Of Croke Park And Pitch Sizes

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Replying To Viking66:  "Best way to tell is by how close the 65s are to the halfway line ;-)"
Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 4007 - 25/03/2026 23:40:02    2663246

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!"
Literally as tight as it gets!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 26/03/2026 11:09:49    2663284

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!"
Was it on one of the back pitches? The main pitch in Iniskeen is definitely a standard size.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1759 - 26/03/2026 11:47:22    2663294

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "
Replying To Pikeman96:  "Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!"
Was it on one of the back pitches? The main pitch in Iniskeen is definitely a standard size."
130 metres is the minimum standard length.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 26/03/2026 15:40:37    2663355

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "
Replying To Pikeman96:  "Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!"
Was it on one of the back pitches? The main pitch in Iniskeen is definitely a standard size."
I've never been in Inniskeen myself, and certainly wasn't at that match, so can't say for sure what pitch it was on. But looking at the satellite view on Google Maps, and also at action photos from the game that show a stand in the background, I'm led to believe it was on the main pitch there all right.

The main pitch there might be a "standard" size. But as Viking has also pointed out, just 130 metres is the minimum "standard" size, such that the halfway line would also double up as both 65m lines for hurling. And that was definitely the root of the controversy at the time the match was played.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 4007 - 27/03/2026 01:01:01    2663406

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Replying To Viking66:  "I like grounds where the stands/terracing are close to the pitch. Better atmosphere!"
Agreed, Newbridge is a good example

Shearer (Louth) - Posts: 953 - 27/03/2026 13:33:28    2663475

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Replying To Shearer:  "Agreed, Newbridge is a good example"
Yes, always enjoyed games there. Parnell Park and Cusack Park good for atmosphere too, although I can't say I always enjoyed the games I went to in the Nell, we usually lost!! Dr Cullen Park another good ground for atmosphere, and Birr is excellent. Ballycran and Corrigan Park good too. Athletic Ground in Armagh was good back in the 90s, though Ive not been there since then. Smaller capacity grounds can often have a better atmosphere at the games than larger ones.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 27/03/2026 14:15:22    2663487

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Replying To Shearer:  "Agreed, Newbridge is a good example"
Newbridge. Tight pitch! :D

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 4007 - 27/03/2026 14:29:37    2663492

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "
Replying To CastleBravo:  "[quote=Pikeman96:  "Can't help thinking of Kildare v Down in last year's Div. 2 Hurling League Final in Inniskeen (Co. Monaghan).

Complaints at the time about the "disrespect" shown to hurling because the pitch didn't even have 65m lines marked.

Except it turned out that it actually did. It was just that they doubled up as the halfway line, because the pitch was the bare minimum 130m long. It was the same 65m line no matter which goal you were shooting towards.

Now that's a tight pitch!!"
Was it on one of the back pitches? The main pitch in Iniskeen is definitely a standard size."
I've never been in Inniskeen myself, and certainly wasn't at that match, so can't say for sure what pitch it was on. But looking at the satellite view on Google Maps, and also at action photos from the game that show a stand in the background, I'm led to believe it was on the main pitch there all right.

The main pitch there might be a "standard" size. But as Viking has also pointed out, just 130 metres is the minimum "standard" size, such that the halfway line would also double up as both 65m lines for hurling. And that was definitely the root of the controversy at the time the match was played."]The main pitch in inniskeen is full size 145 by 90. The back pitch looks to be 130 by 80 minimum size so if there was an issue with the 65 being both the 65 and midfield it had to be the back pitch.
The max size is 25 % bigger than minimum size. The some pile of more area.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 1052 - 27/03/2026 15:20:45    2663501

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Replying To Saynothing:  "It's very easy to pick out tight pitches now with the introduction of the 40 Mt scoring arch."
It would be even easier if the arc went all the way to the sideline or end-line.
Why does it not?

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 366 - 28/03/2026 12:07:03    2663578

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Replying To Viking66:  "Best way to tell is by how close the 65s are to the halfway line ;-)"
'Tight pitch' surely refers to the width: 65s of no help here.

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 366 - 28/03/2026 12:12:34    2663580

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Replying To winatallcost:  "I think not alone is it about the dimensions in Croke Park, the surface is perfect and with a bit of moisture to the firm surface it plays extremely fast. Also with the pucturesque stands and hill terrace in the background it makes it a daunting place to try and kick scores if not used to it.
I think these add to equation on why Croke Park plays a little differently to other grounds."
There is nothing unusual about the dimensions of Croke Park; so how do they effect anything?

Surely moisture will slow the bounce rather than make it 'extremely fast"?

Also, I don't see how picturesque stands, as opposed to non-picturesque stands, effect things.

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 366 - 28/03/2026 12:24:19    2663581

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Replying To Aibrean:  "There is nothing unusual about the dimensions of Croke Park; so how do they effect anything?

Surely moisture will slow the bounce rather than make it 'extremely fast"?

Also, I don't see how picturesque stands, as opposed to non-picturesque stands, effect things."
No a dew effect makes the ball skid on a bit.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 29/03/2026 08:21:54    2663680

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Replying To Aibrean:  "It would be even easier if the arc went all the way to the sideline or end-line.
Why does it not?"
Wondered that myself

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 29/03/2026 08:22:27    2663681

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Replying To Aibrean:  "'Tight pitch' surely refers to the width: 65s of no help here."
I always took it to mean overall size. Obviously width does affect that, but often tight pitches are shorter and narrower, not just one or the other.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 29/03/2026 08:24:11    2663682

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The point of bigger pitches, everyone misses, is they are intrinsic to the game played at the highest level. Separates the greats from the pretenders. It's what made Tyrone beating Kerry 3 times in the 00's so impressive. We see how Donegal fail to replicate that v Kerry on open pitches.

Gaelic football unique that it pits one man v one man in all positions. On a bigger pitches means weaker teams and players exposed to being isolated and embarrassed. The bigger the pitches, the harder to contain more talented players given open space, they'll isolate their man in the forward line to a greater degree.

It makes the world of difference. Meath are given space in Croke Park, their young players having a field day at the minute, raw talent shining through!

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4211 - 29/03/2026 21:14:20    2663832

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"The wide open spaces" are always talked about as being a reason one team will beat an inferior one. As if the inferior team would beat them in a tight pitch.
Its complete horse manure. The best team will win on any pitch, you are not talking about the width of a soccer pitch vs a GAA pitch.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1635 - 30/03/2026 10:19:33    2663916

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Replying To ExiledInWex:  ""The wide open spaces" are always talked about as being a reason one team will beat an inferior one. As if the inferior team would beat them in a tight pitch.
Its complete horse manure. The best team will win on any pitch, you are not talking about the width of a soccer pitch vs a GAA pitch."
Spot on Exiled. Its all in the head.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20659 - 30/03/2026 10:54:22    2663926

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Replying To Viking66:  "Spot on Exiled. Its all in the head."
Spot on? It's rubbish. The tighter the pitch, clearly it's easier to stifle the better team. Put 30 players on a pitch the size of a tennis court and talent has no bearing whatsoever.

Expand the dimensions, inferior teams, their players get isolated. Wondering would anyone pick up on the Kerry/Donegal point after the league final. Kerry will do them when it matters.

GAA unique as it's player for player, position for position. In the past on a bigger pitch, Tyrone tried to shut down the space against Kerry, by rushing them in numbers. Teams do it to Cork in hurling.

It's done for a reason, to offset the talent dearth in the weaker team. Give the better team time, you'll be isolated on bigger pitches. Narrow the dimensions and it stifles the better teams!

32_4_1 (Meath) - Posts: 4211 - 02/04/2026 01:45:16    2664362

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I see Croke Park to have a friendly soccer match between 2 English teams next August!!!

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 915 - 02/04/2026 11:25:11    2664382

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