Hastings Insurance MacHale Park crowned GAA Pitch of the Year

A general view Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.
Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Mayo has been announced as the winner of the prestigious GAA Pitch of the Year award for 2025 with Chadwick’s Wexford Park coming runner up.

The four finalists shortlisted in the 2025 Pitch of the Year were all visited by Stuart Wilson (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management).

The two other finalists and high achievers were SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and St. Tiernach’s in Clones.

As chairman of the National Pitch Workgroup, Stuart Wilson, said: “The Pitch of the Year recognises the considerable efforts that go into the preparation of our pitches on a weekly basis, sometimes in very difficult circumstances.

“All the grounds were assessed against more than 30 criteria including pitch playing quality, pitch presentation and performance as well as taking account of the resources available for management.

“The extreme weather conditions and very high usage levels made the preparation of pitches extremely challenging and the condition that these finalists achieved at the time of our visit highlighted the level of dedication and commitment of both the staff and volunteers involved.

“With such high standards across all grounds and scores between the four finalists very close, it was difficult to allocate a winner and runner up but for 2025 Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Mayo was considered to be the winner and Chadwicks Wexford Park the runner up.”

The competition is sponsored by ICL, Turfcare and Campey Turfcare and the winners will receive a range of products and tools they can use on their pitch.