Hastings MacHale Park receives GAA National Pitch of the Year award

As sponsor of the award, ICL is pleased to support recognition for the work being carried out by grounds teams and volunteers across GAA facilities in Ireland. 

The award acknowledges the standards, planning and consistency required to maintain high-quality playing surfaces throughout the season. Hastings MacHale Park was selected following an assessment process carried out by Stuart Wilson (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management), with grounds reviewed against more than 30 criteria including pitch playing quality, presentation, performance and available management resources. 

Head Groundsman Philip Heneghan and the wider team at MacHale Park

The recognition is a credit to Head Groundsman Philip Heneghan and the wider team at MacHale Park for the work involved in preparing and maintaining the surface to such a high standard. 

The other shortlisted venues were Chadwicks Wexford Park, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones, highlighting the quality of pitch preparation taking place across GAA venues in Ireland.

Colman Warde, ICL Country Sales Manager for Ireland, said:

“We were pleased to see Hastings MacHale Park recognised with the GAA National Pitch of the Year award. This is a well-deserved achievement for the team in Mayo and reflects the high standards maintained at the venue. ICL is proud to support recognition for grounds teams and volunteers across GAA pitches in Ireland.” 

The GAA Pitch of the Year award recognises the considerable effort that goes into pitch preparation on a weekly basis, often in difficult weather conditions and under high levels of use. Sponsored by ICL the award also provides winners with a range of products and tools to support future pitch maintenance. 

Recognition such as this plays an important role in highlighting the dedication of grounds teams and volunteers who help maintain standards across the game.