DUBLIN – GreenFields along with its strategic construction partner for Ireland have the kudos of building Ireland’s first ever Full Size Eco Gaelic Hurling/Football Artificial turf pitch to meet the GAA’s new code of compliance for artificial turf pitches. Dublin City Council first tendered Alfie Byrne Park in 2008 the tender attracted competition from not only Ireland but from many overseas contractors.

Multiple disciplines on the same artificial turf

In total the Alfie Byrne Project provides just over 24,000m² of artificial turf surfacing, it is unique not alone for the sheer size of the project but also the number of disciplines it caters for, each built to meet their respective Sporting discipline codes of compliance. Due to the restriction on the use of SBR rubber by Dublin City Council the tender required the use of TPV rubber to take into account the environmental policy of the council, this in itself brought new technical challenges to both GreenFields and its strategic partner.

To date there is no other sporting venue of this size anywhere else in Ireland and on site there is a Full Size Gaelic Pitch built and tested which fully complies with the GAA’s new code of compliance 2009, in addition there is a full size Rugby pitch, it has also been tested and fully complies with IRB Regulation 22 and IRFU testing requirements. In addition the site also hosts a 3000m² multi use area suitable for a wide range of contact sports. The complexity of the project required a company who had the necessary expertise, ability and product range to take on this massive task.

Artificial Turf R&D advancing at lightning bolt speed

Sports Consultant Mr Eric O Donnell Managing Director Sports Labs had this to say “the research and development in the whole area of artificial turf has been advancing at lightning bolt speed, the main cause of this advancement has been driven by the raised expectations of the various sporting codes none more so than the GAA. The association are fully aware of the unique products they have in both Hurling and Gaelic football and realise that for the games to be played at the pace and skills level required it is essential that the surface perform to the highest standard, so as to deliver the very best playing conditions”.

Paul Copage, Managing Director of Thornton Sports (Ireland) Ltd, no stranger to large projects with twenty five years experience in the Sports building industry, is absolutely thrilled with this project. “We fully understood the demands we would be facing when taking this artificial turf project on, and the uniqueness of the build. It is a very special project for us and one that we can all take immense pride in. Over the last twelve years Thornton Sports have been selected to work on some of the country’s most prestigious projects, Alfie Byrne fits in perfectly into our portfolio of completed artificial turf works.  The fact that it has been tested and passed the New GAA Code is wonderful. Because it is the first of its kind in the Country is an added bonus for us and cause for great celebration within the company. We always do our best to provide top quality venues, at the most competitive price. In these uncertain economical times, the Alfie Byrne Park project has been a great Moral boost to everybody in Thornton’s.”