Saturation of games and rain to blame for closed GAA pitches

“There is a change in climate and we are going to have to adapt to this."

Groundskeepers work on the pitch before the game between Tyrone and Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh. Picture: ©INPHO/Andrew Paton

Excessive number of games on top of climate change has put incredible pressure on county pitches, according to the GAA’s former national pitch maintenance committee chairman.

As more matches were moved away from FBD Semple Stadium and TUS Gaelic Grounds this week, Kieran McGann believes the sustained poor weather is one of a number of primary reasons why the playing surfaces of county grounds are being protected. “A saturation of rain and a saturation of games,” he said.