Pitch-er perfect HQ Wilson’s prerogative

“This has been a busy week for our team in Croke Park as we worked to get the pitch into pristine condition for tomorrow’s All-Ireland minor and senior finals.

“Managing a surface like Croke Park is a daily job but there has been a heavier workload in the lead up to the game.

“We were out early on Monday morning repairing the divots and any other issues which were caused by the two football semi-finals on the Sunday.

“Football matches usually cause a bit more damage than hurling, in and around the goal areas in particular, so we would have spent a bit of time repairing those.

“On Tuesday we spread a light bit of fertiliser which gives the grass great colour, then we stripe the pitch which involves cutting the grass from different directions and rolling it — that gives the pattern effect you see on television. Our main aim is the playability and stability of the pitch — it has to be in the best possible condition for the final. To achieve this we monitor the moisture levels and the firmness levels on a regular basis.

“So for example due to the good weather this week the pitch could become too firm so we would look at spiking the ground to soften it if required. It has been one of the wettest summers on record here in Ireland but that has had little impact on the pitch thankfully. The Croke Park pitch is sand based and drains very well. Naturally as a turf pitch it can take time for moisture to soak down, however, if we have extremely heavy rain we can use a forced-air vacuum ventilation system that can literally suck any excess water from the ground if required.

“Most of the midweek has been about ensuring everything is in shipshape condition. We were literally down on our hands and knees making sure the pitch is looking, and playing, as well as it can possibly be.

“All of Saturday will be taken up checking and double checking and ensuring the lines are correct, the flags are in place and so on. We will be in tomorrow at 6am to apply the finishing touches before the minor match begins.

“Then it all begins again on Monday as we have to prepare for the camogie finals the following Sunday and then the All-Ireland minor and senior football finals the following week and then the ladies finals.

“Before coming to Croke Park, I worked in the Aviva Stadium and prior to that I was with Arsenal at the Emirates. Actually I met an Irish woman when I worked at Arsenal and I spent a lot of time travelling over and back before I ended up working here in Dublin. We got married in Mayo so it has all ended up absolutely perfectly.

“Dealing with the pitch here in Croke Park is very similar to what was involved in Arsenal. The biggest game I was involved in over there was when Arsenal played Barcelona in a Champions League quarter-final.

“For me, this is even bigger. Croke Park is the home of the GAA and an All-Ireland final is one of the greatest days in the stadium.”