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Saturday 16 March 2013

The Importance Of The Pitch

This past Friday, Game week two from the Airtricity League Of Ireland.

I attended my local club to watch them play v Derry City. I follow the team intently and have full faith in the manager and his ways, however, I turned up to the UCD Bowl with scepticism.

I knew the pitch had been used in the week prior to the game for a rugby match between UCD and Trinity.
As a result, I went directly to join in on the pre-game pitch walk to check the quality and instantly saw the repercussions of holding a rugby match on our football pitch. This was not, Not, in favour of UCD.

Expectation
Reality
A team that pride themselves in playing good quality passing football, lovely to watch but not so easy to pull off. I, Before this game have never really realised the importance of the pitch quality. The bouncing ball is impossible to play with in an attacking or defensive sense. The quality of soccer at junior level is poor right? How is the pitch? Answer. Sorted.

Previously, many of soccer fans have been sceptical of the money being spent on club facilities and staff in the big leagues and now I see how worthwhile the expenditure is.

A stepping stone in the development of the Airtricity league should be the importance of maintaining and promoting pitch quality. A better pitch should produce better football. We should hope.

And on we go, the trials and tribulations of #SupportingLOI

Edward Kennedy Tweet Us <Here>

Tuesday 12 March 2013

Aaaaaaaand Were Back; 2013-14

The 2013-14 season has begun, great hype was created for the beginning of the new season.


Big Transfers, Big  Managers, Big Supporters leads me to believe this coming season will be one of surprises, underdogs and Cup success'. And already we have seen some small but substantial upsets setting a trend that will be frequently arising week in week out this coming season.

It has not been long since Sligo Rovers lifted the Airtricity league trophy, or Ireland conceding 6 at the hands of Germany. But now, already, the league is starting up again.

But of course the cups have already well begun, this brings me to speak about the close proximity of games in the early months of the year. For example, The stunning students have played the brilliant Bohs three times in as many weeks due to the tight nit calender. All at the Dalymount park, leading me to be suspect of the pitch in the future weeks due to the regularity of senior matches taking place on it.

Looking forward now, Yes, The league of Ireland lacks a wide fan-base and i know it is a regular topic that arises at most Agm's. But lets face facts, the attendance is low mainly due to the fact the public think the standard is poor. And indeed it is at some stages, this could come from the fact that, at times the actual playing surfaces are not up to scratch.

Personally, I would hope that the boards would hold the quality of pitches of top priority for the prosperity of the league.

Onwards and upwards, Follow Me Edward on Twitter :