Leinster Rugby v Cardiff Blues

while the heavy machinery work was put
on hold.
On May 18, the machines were finally
allowed to get digging and extensive
subterranean works began, following
the removal of 250 tonnes of soil, all of
which was later reused as quality topsoil.
The groundworks were designed,
constructed and implemented by pitch
specialists Flood Landscapes, a family
firm from Wexford, with Wexford’s 1996
All-Ireland winner Sean Flood to the fore,
along with Paddy McCann and Jerome
O’Brien at Greystones.
In a meeting of horticultural minds, Garry
Flood, in consultation with Willie Byrne,
brought expertise in the form of state-ofthe
art drainage works.
These are built in a waffle-grid of multiple
minor drains, all of which lead to one
major drainage pipe, collecting water
drained from the pitches out to the small
stream on the north side of the club.
This network is part of what will be
instrumental in terms of longevity of the
pitch surfaces. At that stage, Willie and
his son Sam, with their extensive clubspecific
knowledge of rain run-off and
soil behaviours, liaised with the Floods.
All drains are placed optimally and
compliment the herring-bone drainage
structure which has served our main pitch
so well.
Once this structure was in place,
completed in two weeks, a further 500
tonnes of sand was added to the soil and
the surface was reconstructed.
This required laser-guided machinery to
establish both minute levels of camber to
assist water run-off and levelling needed
toward the sea end of Dr. Hickey Park,
creating 17,000 square metres of prime
playing surface.
The Covid-19 restrictions had significantly
reduced the window of opportunity for
planting and the dry and sunny weather
was a concern, compounded by a
hosepipe ban. However, as the due date
for the cancelled Leaving Certificate
rolled round, the warm, mild, wet
conditions proved ideal for the grass seed
to take root.
“We felt like victims of the pandemic
because it made it difficult for fundraising
to pay for the project when the club was
closed down in March,” stated Gannon.
“But, as it turned out, it became a blessing
in disguise because the dry weather
would have been a disaster for growing
grass for the pitches at that time.
“In terms of moving forward, it is a matter
of showing the pitches the loving care
necessary to bring them fully to life. We
estimate we are on track to have the
minis and youths back on the surface for
January.
“When the big heavy fellas in their
boots will be back on it depends on
the weather being kind to us. When the
adults do get back out there, they will be
excited about the standard of the surface
compared to what it was.
“Hopefully, it will carry us through for at
least another 30 years.”
www.leinsterrugby.ie | 81 | From The Ground Up