Out with the old... in with the new in Kildare groundskeeping
Fintan Barrett and Tom McDermott lined the Hawkfield pitches for the last time before the Turf Tank is brought into operation
It is probably one of the most boring and hated jobs in sport, regardless of what the field sport is.
The marking of the pitch.
We have all looked now and again at the white lines, some straight, some not so straight and even some one often felt may be been done by a marker that possibly had endured a late night before this task was undertaken.
In Manguard Park, Hawkfield, for instance that task extends to three pitches and even four sometimes, so a very boring and tedious operation for those involved
Fintan Barrett Groundsman at Manguard Park along with Tom McDermott, carry out this very necessary task week-in and week-out.
But now help is at hand.
In fact by all accounts this chore is a chore no longer.
Kildare GAA Co. Board has recently purchased what is called a Turf Tank Robo Pitch Marker.
It is, to coin a phrase, a game changer.
Turf Tank makes the job so much easier, set up the dimensions of the pitch, the various markings and the rest is done by the Turf Tank.
And when you consider the pitches in Hawkfield and now the grounds at Cedral St Conleth's Park, the time saved doing this particular job is incredible.
Already we have seen the difference to the pitches in Manguard Park but on Sunday all attending for the opening game, will see the brilliant job done on the newly sown pitch at Conleth's; the whiteness the straightness, it is absolutely brilliant.
Definitely another case of out with the old, and in the new.