The firm has created the most technologically advanced pitches in World Cup history including at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow where the Russia 2018 final will be played in July.

And SIS Pitches certainly hit the back of the net with the compelling story of how it landed such a key role in world sport’s biggest and most prestigious tournament.

The news, accompanied by a useful explainer video and high-quality images including a ‘team photo’ of SIS staff on the Luzhniki pitch, was picked up by major UK and Irish outlets including BBC News, RTÉ, The Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Daily Star, Irish Mirror, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mail.

The surprise Irish involvement in Russia 2018 (our football team didn’t qualify unfortunately!) was welcomed, with RTÉ running a television news piece and The Irish Sun newspaper proclaiming ‘Irish Top Seeds at World Cup’ in a full-page feature and accompanying editorial about SIS Pitches.

The firm was set up in 2001 by CEO George Mullan, who directs the company from Sligo. He said: “We are delighted with the decision and that our investment in setting up an office in Russia five years ago, combined with completing new stadium pitches for Spartak Moscow and Krasnodar in the last few years, has been rewarded. Our Russian staff have done a superb job.”

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