Let there be light

ESB Contracts is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the perceived need for more floodlighting facilities within the realms of gaelic games.

En route to winning the All-Ireland B title in 1998, Monaghan had the distinction of contesting the first competitive intercounty match to be played under floodlights, being played against Longford on Tuesday, October 6th at Castleblayney. There are many who believe that floodlit football is the way forward for the GAA. They could have a case.

Monaghan isn't the only county where floodlit football became more prevalent in 1998. In Kildare, an unprecedented fixtures backlog resulted from the Lilywhites' extended run in the All-Ireland series and it was decided that the best option was to play a number of games under floodlights at Allenwood.
This was a great success and reports suggest that the whole exercise was very positively received by players and supporters alike. The Short Grass County also has what Seamus Aldridge describes as "the best floodlit facilities in the country" at Hawkfield. Another good floodlit venue is Gracefield in Offaly.

Are we likely to see more and more matches played under lights in the future? The simple answer is yes. It's an obvious solution to a growing problem. The alternative is to condense most of the season into the summer months, when the evenings are longer . . . but this would result in a prolonged period of inactivity over the winter.

We will almost certainly see floodlit GAA matches become increasingly popular over the next few years. The question marks surround the possible extent of these matches. Will it be restricted to All-Ireland B and local club championship games - or is there potential there to bring the whole thing further? How far can the GAA take this relatively new concept? Could we have evening NFL games? What about the club championships?

There are a number of arguments both for and against the use of floodlights. These will all be considered carefully before any decisions are made high up in the Corridors of Power. When that decision is eventually made, the end result will - more likely than not - lead to more floodlit games being played.
Michael Perse, Senior Lighting Specialist with ESB Contracts, based in Dublin, is watching developments with more than a passing interest. He is also current chairman of the Institution of Lighting Engineers, Irish Region and has a wide range of experience in the science of lighting.

In existence for over 50 years, ESB Contracts is the electrical contracting wing of ESB, specialising in high-voltage, medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical installation work, including public lighting and sports lighting. With ten area offices strategically located throughout the country - and having already done quite a bit of work in the specialist field of floodlighting(including the aforementioned well-appointed Gracefield venue) - ESB Contracts is in the ideal situation to provide the GAA with its floodlighting requirements if and when the need arises.

"We've done some floodlighting work over the years and have subsequently had discussions with various clubs," Michael notes. "With our teams of experts located nationwide, we're in the unique position of being able to go out and install lighting anywhere in the 26 counties. Floodlighting for GAA clubs is something that seems to raise its head every now and again.

“Personally, I think it's something the GAA will require eventually - even if only for practice games and training."

ESB Contracts is Ireland's leading specialist installer of lighting and offers a complete package - design, installation and maintenance. For example, the company designed the lighting it installed at Newbridge and Gracefield.

In looking at user requirements, Michael identifies four parties who must be taken into consideration when floodlights are being installed: "First, you have to think of the players. Secondly, you have the technical staff - referees and match officials. Then, you have the spectators, be they watching, arriving at or leaving the grounds. The players, referees, and officials must be able to see clearly all that is going on in the playing area so that they can produce their best possible performance, and make accurate decisions. Spectators should be able to follow the performance of the players and the action in an agreeable environment. This means that they should be able to see the immediate surroundings as well as the playing area. The lighting should also ensure the safety of spectators as they enter and leave the grounds, and this is particularly important with large crowds. Finally, for television coverage, the lighting should provide conditions able to guarantee good colour picture quality.”

"There are three classes of floodlighting," explains Michael.

Class 1: which is top level competition such as national type matches involving large spectator capacities (approx 30,000 plus) and long viewing distances and colour television. Stadiums such as Park Ui Chaoimh in Cork, and Thurles.

Class 2: which is mid level competition such as regional and local club matches involving generally medium size spectator capacities (approx 15,000 plus) and medium viewing distances. Stadiums such as Portlaoise or Ennis or other county grounds.

Class 3: which is low level competition such as local or small club matches and do not usually involve many spectators.

So, it all depends on exactly what the customer needs.”

Knowing the general user requirements, says Michael, it is possible to determine the lighting criteria for each of the different levels of activity. In this the lighting level on the horizontal plane, the vertical plane, and uniformity are critical factors. Glare must be restricted as far as possible and adequate modelling provided to reveal form and texture. Lighting levels can be determined by comparing hurling and gaelic football with hockey and rugby respectively as recognised lighting recommendations are available for these latter sports.

Regardless of the requirements, ESB Contracts can provide to exact specifications.

According to Michael: "The most commonly used and most cost effective floodlighting installation for small to medium GAA grounds consists of a side-lighting system using up to four steel columns on each side of the pitch. By choosing an appropriate number of floodlights for each column, lighting levels can be provided that range from low levels adequate for practice to the higher levels necessary for match play. The height of the columns is determined by their location relative to the centre of the pitch and this needs to be a minimum of 12 metres and can be as high as 20 metres. At this kind of height access is very important. To this end, hinged columns can be provided or columns with climbing bars can be installed to provide access to the floodlights for lamp replacement and general maintenance. A four corner tower system is also a possibility. The merit of this system is the unobstructed view of the pitch but it is, however, usually more expensive to install and operate than a side-lighting system, utilising far higher masts and incorporating larger banks of floodlights.

"Also", he continues, "there is the added bonus of the unique atmosphere which is more focused and more intimate. Everybody is focusing on what's happening on the pitch and there are no peripheral distractions.

"The way things are going, I think most GAA counties are going to soon need floodlit facilities. It gives everybody so many added options and means that GAA members will no longer be restricted in when they can play their matches. It should be remembered, however, that there is more to floodlighting a pitch than just putting up a few columns and mounting some floodlights on them. Also, any club contemplating a floodlighting installation should consider other important factors such as the amount of civil works involved, the adequacy of the existing ESB supply, which may need upgrading, general lighting to the ground and vandalism. In addition, planning permission will be required and should be applied for before the commencement of any installation work."

When the time comes, ESB Contracts will - if required - be ready to play its part in helping to open this new avenue of possibility. If you have a particular query regarding floodlighting requirements why not phone Michael at 01- 6042152 and he will try to throw some light on the matter for you!