Croker pitch passes test

THE post-match reaction was resoundingly positive from players towards the new Croke Park surface after yesterday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final double-bill.

Following last weekend’s U2 concerts, a new pitch was put down in a tremendous feat of engineering and logistics. But the fears that this would have a detrimental effect on the quality of football being served up proved unfounded.

Despite the visible marks indicating the different sections where the turf was laid, Tyrone captain Brian Dooher insisted none of their players had any problems with the condition of the surface.