Recently, Ulster and Monaghan football legend Nudie Hughes became the latest addition to Thornton Sports Ireland. Many would say that Ireland's Leading Specialist Sports Surface Engineers have made the right move yet again. 

Hailing from Castleblayney Co. Monaghan Eugene "Nudie" Hughes is a shining example of the true spirit and talent that has made him a house hold name and football favourite. Eugene, or "Nudie", as he is affectionately known had a distinguished football career winning three Ulster Championships and National league with his home county Monaghan and two Ulster club titles with his beloved Castleblayney Faughs, during the same period he was awarded three All Stars Awards, the first in 1979 in the Right full back position and two further All Stars in the Left Corner forward position.
Never a man to be idle for long, Nudie worked for over twenty years and built up a name as the face of a well known drinks company Tennent's Ireland. Since closing that chapter, Nudie has been busy travelling the length and breadth of Ulster. He contributes regularly to the sports commentary as a match analyst on Shannon Side - Northern Sound radio, makes match forecasts for Highland radio and can often be heard voicing his opinions on RTE radio.  
"I am delighted to have been asked to join the Sales team at Thornton Sports; I still have a very keen interest in Gaelic football and all sports, I suppose this is just the perfect match for me," said an enthused Nudie. "I have visited several pitches that Thornton Sports have built up and down the country but never did I think that I would be asked to come to work for them. I have been given an area which covers all of Ulster and parts of the North East. With particular responsibility for Schools and GAA Clubs, hopefully I will be remembered when I make my calls.
"I was brought on a tour of some of Thornton Sports facilities, I was amazed at how impressive these pitches are and wondered how we (Monaghan)would have performed had we had such remarkable venues available to us for training. The Stony grey soil of Monaghan might have looked a lot more attractive had it been covered with such lush and realistic synthetic grass. I was further more impressed when I visited Clontarf Synthetic Park and Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale, Co Limerick to be told both of these full size GAA pitches fully comply with the GAAs own Code of Compliance for Synthetic Surfaces. Paul Copage, Managing Director of Thornton Sports and the Companies Technical Director gave me a full and detailed explanation of the procedures, materials and requirements required in preparation for GAA testing.
"I was equally impressed when I heard that Thornton Sports are extremely unique in the Synthetic Sports industry, using their own in house highly trained and experienced workforce and machinery from start to finish. It is obvious from visiting there sites that the company has invested heavily in the machinery and equipment required to carry out their installations to such a professional finish. And they make it all look so effortless; it really is impressive to watch."
Paul Milton from Greenfields BV, the company who manufacture and supply the high quality synthetic carpet for Thornton Sports had this to say: "Greenfields BV operate internationally and our success has been based on identifying specialist companies who are recognised as highly professional with strong track record who can build sports facilities to the highest possible standard. Such strategic partners are integral to the Greenfields family. We have only one such Strategic partner in Ireland and that is Thornton Sports Ireland; they cover the island of Ireland.
"Traditionally Thornton's have been extremely successful in three of the four provinces Connacht, Leinster and Munster with only a very small presence in Ulster! So we are absolutely delighted to hear that Eugene will be covering Ulster and the bordering counties. Nudie recently attended a sport seminar Held in the King's Hall Belfast and joined us on our stand, it was quite clear that Nudie is a well liked and respected individual. He was approached by numerous delegates during the day who sought his opinion on many football related matters. I would like to on behalf of Greenfields BV wish him every success and look forward to working with him in the future."
Dick Ridge, who is Marketing and Development Manager for Thornton Sports Ireland, stated that he was thrilled to have Nudie on the team: "What a gentleman and humble guy, Nudie is genuine person and a pleasure to work with, we are all extremely happy to have him on the team. We will be fully supporting Nudie with all the administration, Logistical and Technical information he requires initially from our base in Portumna, Co Galway with a view to establishing a more permanent presence in the North sometime in the near future."
He continued: "Synthetic Pitches are becoming the "must have" for Clubs up and down the country as our weather patterns become even more harsh and unpredictable. Teams need to know that they will able to properly prepare and train for matches, it is vital for their success that they have a training area that will be available to them. Indeed the trend is slowing shifting towards full size Synthetic pitches; very recently we completed and handed over two full-size GAA compliant pitches one for Limerick county board in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale, Co Limerick and another for Dublin City Council in Clontarf, Dublin.
"We are currently on site in Mullingar in St Loman's  GAA  Club building a Full Size GAA pitch for the Leinster Council which will be the first pitch built as a Provincial Centre of Excellence. Again synthetic surfaces can play such an important role ensuring that Club and county fixtures are fulfilled not alone are these surfaces available but they are designed to perform to the highest standards so rather than being an 'Option B' they are in fact on par with some of the very best natural surfaces in the country."
Nudie has enjoyed great success on the playing field now we wish him ever success in the future providing playing fields for others.
If you would like to contact Nudie to discuss any current or future plans you may have for a Synthetic Grass Pitch please do so by emailing [email protected] or for an appointment please ring 0909741955 where Thornton Sports Ireland office staff will be delighted to receive your call and make the necessary arrangements. Should you wish to find out more about Thornton Sports please feel free to visit our website www.thorntonsports.ie
Thornton Sports Ireland would like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas from all the team. Tweet

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