Pitch openings and the like were all the rage at one stage in the GAA.
A club would open their new pitch or a stand or dressing rooms and they’d mark the occasion with a range of activities, usually topped off with an inter-county practice match.
That’s what Crettyard had in 2000 when Meath, beaten All Ireland finalists only a couple of months earlier, rocked up to play Laois in a pre-championship blow-out under the new floodlights.
And as you’d expect there was a right good turnout. Alf Harvey was on hand to capture some of the action – and the crowd.
As it turned out both Laois and Meath would go on to have very disappointing championship seasons.
Laois were beaten by Westmeath in their first outing; Meath were shocked by Offaly. And, as it was the last year before the Qualifiers were introduced, both were out after one game.
Crettyard have since developed even further with a fine stand complementing a very good setup in general.
They are routinely acknowledged as the top club ground in Laois by many.
SEE ALSO – Ranked and filed: The top 10 Laois GAA club grounds
