Tickets for Offaly vs Tipp showdown to go on sale later today
The Offaly U-20 hurlers found out their All-Ireland final opponents last Friday night when Tipperary edged out Cork in the Munster decider.
Offaly retained the Leinster U-20 title with victory over Dublin in last week's provincial final on a scoreline of 1-18 to 1-15. Shane Rigney scored the Offaly goal, the richly talented Adam Screeney contributed nine points, and team captain Dan Bourke produced an outstanding display - see report here.
And with no All-Ireland semi-finals at this grade, the final will be contested by Leinster champions Offaly and their Munster counterparts Tipperary, who overcame Cork by 1-19 to 0-21 in Limerick on Friday night.
The venue for the All-Ireland U-20 final had already been decided, with UPMC Nowlan Park chosen to host the showpiece in recognition of the 100th anniversary of James Nowlan’s death.
And Offaly’s eagerly awaited clash with Tipperary is set to take place on Saturday, June 1 at the Kilkenny city venue (throw-in 7.15pm).
The final will see many players from both sides renew rivalry at Nowlan Park, where Offaly and Tipperary met in the 2022 All-Ireland minor decider in which Tipp snatched victory with a last-gasp goal (final score: 1-17 to 1-16).
The Offaly camp was understandably aggrieved over not being awarded a free out prior to Paddy McCormack striking for that late Tipperary goal.
From the outset of this year's championship there were considerable expectations surrounding this Offaly team, given what they have achieved in the past at minor and U-20 level. They have certainly delivered in style thus far with their Leinster semi-final win over Kilkenny in Tullamore and the final against Dublin in Portlaoise proving highly memorable occasions.
Tickets for Saturday’s All-Ireland final are due to go on sale this afternoon (Monday). Offaly GAA has reminded supporters in an online post that tickets will not go on sale before 2pm today.
“We are in constant contact with Croke Park officials regarding the release of tickets and as soon as we get ticket links, they will be posted on our social media platforms,” said Offaly GAA.
Kilkenny GAA, the hosts of the final, have reminded supporters that it will be a fully reserved fixture, and that the capacity at UPMC Nowlan Park for a single fixture is 26,000.
Supporters will be access tickets through the GAA website - https://www.gaa.ie/tickets - and ticket prices are as follows: adult - €25; student/OAP - €20; Under-16s - €5.