10.00 to 10.30 Registration

10.30 Working demonstration by Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds.
Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds are one of the leading sportsground contractors in N.Ireland. They have agreed to bring a number of pieces of machinery on the site to demonstrate the latest maintenance and renovation techniques.
• Sand Grooving. This process is used to re-connect the pitch surface layers with the any older Sand Slits or Gravel Banding or simply to freshen up an existing sand carpet pitch. It places a new sand drainage slit which is 20mm wide and 100mm deep.
• Scarifying This activity helps to remove any build up of organic material in the surface leaving a cleaner sward ready for the next stage in the maintenance program.
• Verti Draining This is the most common and easiest way of removing and preventing compaction in the pitch surface. This single piece of equipment has been responsible for improving many pitches in the country. This process allows play to commence immediately after the work is complete.

Ian Mc Clements from STRI
STRI is the independent market leader in turfgrass research and agronomy. It is the UK's national centre for consultancy in Sports & Amenity Turf and a recognized world centre for research. STRI's consultancy team advise at over 2000 turf facilities, including golf, soccer, rugby, GAA, cricket, racing, bowling and tennis. Ian Mc Clements and Richard Hayden are the independent turf consultants for Croke Park. They work closely with the groundsmen in an advisory role to recommend the maintenance procedures to be carried out and the renovation required. Ian Mc Clements will be giving a presentation on:

• The principals of pitch maintenance and the importance of annual maintenance on pitches.

Working Demonstration by Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds

• Sand Top Dressing. This process involves placing between 100 and 150 ton of sand on the surface of the pitch. This process is necessary to prevent a silty capping layer becoming present on the surface. The benefits of this process are clearly documented.
• Direct Seeding. This process re-introduces new grass species into the pitch to thicken up an existing sward or re-establish cover on bare areas.
• Fraize mowing (using the Koro Field top Maker) This process planes the top 5mm of the pitch. It can be used to remove the build up of organic material on the surface and encourage a stronger sward.
• Hollow coring and collecting. This process can be used to remove some of the surface profile aerating the surface and creating a good situation of direct seeding.

Static display of:
• Gravel Banding. This process installs a new drain which is 25mm wide and 250mm deep. It is a very efficient and cost effective method for installing a new drainage system in the surface if the existing pipe drains are still working effectively.
• Wizz wheel drainage. This machine is used to install a new piped drainage system in the pitch or to place new sand slit drains.

Video demonstrations of varying stages of construction work and renovation will be on display along with a static display of a small range of their specialist construction equipment.

Richard Hayden from STRI

Richard Hayden will be giving a presentation on the work they have been carrying out on the surface of Croke Park from the start of their consultancy at Head quarters. It will offer an insight into the work load that professional groundsmen undertake to maintain such a high quality surface. Richard Hayden will be presenting on:

• The general principals of pitch construction and the specific maintenance requirements and day to day maintenance of the Croke Park Surface.

1.00 to 1.30 Refreshments will be provided

Michael Horgan from Horgan/Lynch Consultancy, Cork

More and more clubs are becoming interested in the use of synthetic surfaces for training and possibly underage matches. Mr. Michael Horgan is involved in ongoing research, working closely with Croke Park, to assess the desirable characteristics in synthetic turf specific to Gaelic sport. He has many years experience in design of natural grass pitches and so is in an ideal position to make comparisons in playing hours and maintenance requirements. He is on the National Infrastructure and Safety Committee at Croke Park and will be travelling from home in Cork to present:

• An Introduction to Synthetic Surfaces, including information about advantages and disadvantages of Synthetic Turf, Maintenance issues and installation costs.
Tony Patterson Sportsgrounds will have an area of 3rd generation synthetic turf set up to complement this presentation.

Draw for various prizes, for all Down Clubs attending, including:
• A weekend away,
• Two free tickets for Club Downs Annual Gala Ball,
• One free visit to Verti Drain of one the clubs pitches,
• Some smaller prizes.

2.15 to 3.30 Selected working demonstration and a chance to speak one to one with each of the speakers.

Also attending:
Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd
Johnston Gilpin & Co Ltd was established in 1968 to distribute the range of John Deere Agricultural, C&CE and Domestic machinery.

The company will be taking a range of grass cutting and maintenance equipment to the event.

James Coburn & Son Limited
James Coburn & Son Limited have been in business since 1850. They specialise in grass seed mixtures to agriculture customers and grass seeds, wild flower seeds, chemicals, fertilisers, etc, to golf clubs, sportsgrounds. They will be available to discuss the various products available to aid pitch maintenance. These will include fertilizers, selective weed-killers and line-markers.
Cyril Johnston & Co. Ltd
Cyril Johnston & Co Ltd, have been in business for 53 years and are one of the leading distributors of Agricultural Horticultural and Marine equipment in Ireland. The company supplies and distributes a range of new and second hand grass cutting equipment.

This company will be displaying a range of grass cutting equipment at the event.

Institute of Groundsmanship
The Institute of Groundsmanship is the only membership organisation representing the whole of the grounds management industry, and all those involved in it.
Established since 1934, they are an organisation founded by grounds-men, for grounds-men. Their primary purpose is to offer support and advice to all those working in the industry; to develop and raise the profile of the profession and to give a voice to their membership on important industry issues. The organization publishes a monthly magazine which contains useful information and tips about grounds maintenance, disease control and environmental issues. They also organize practical training days which offer industry recognized certificates in pitch care.
This organization will be on hand to offer more information about the benefits of membership and the activities they are involved in.

Any clubs within Down who whish to attend are asked to contact PJ McGrady (028 4377 8297) or Seamus Quinn (028 4176 3108)

Any club outside Co. Down that is interested in attending is requested to contact Patrick Farrell on 07802659008 to confirm their place and to for directions.