Split season a challenge for Semple Stadium sod

Thurles’ hallowed turf was in immaculate condition for this past weekend’s Tipperary SHC quarter-finals but that's partly down to the lack of fixtures in the stadium over the summer.

A general view before the Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final match between Loughmore Castleiney and Kilruane MacDonaghs at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

The nature of the GAA’s split season schedule has made the upkeep of pitches more arduous, according to a leading groundsman.

Pádhraic Greene, who has been tending to the FBD Semple Stadium playing surface since 2021, says maintaining it is tougher because of the high volume of matches in the early and late parts of the year.