Flood of fans to light up Croker for replay

GAA chiefs are gleefully rubbing their hands in anticipation of a fourth 80,000-plus Croke Park September sell-out for today’s All-Ireland hurling final replay.

Cork departed by road for the capital last night, backed by more than 30,000 Rebel supporters — but they’ll do well to outdo the Clare shout this evening in Dublin, with the Banner backing expected to be even greater.

The GAA has confirmed the game is a sell-out and like last year it’s likely the 82,000 barrier will be broken by the replay.

The thrilling drawn decider on Sept 8 attracted 81,653 supporters while last season’s final replay between Kilkenny and Galway showed an increase of 342 (82,274 compared with 81,932).

Croke Park’s floodlights will be turned on by the time James McGrath throws in the ball at 5pm with stadium director Peter McKenna insisting the settings will reduce the dazzle and glare for players.

Former Cork star Dónal Óg Cusack believes wet conditions could turn the final replay in Cork’s favour.

Met Éireann is forecasting “some heavy, showery rain possibly developing in southern areas in the afternoon with eastern coastal areas at risk also”.

Some mixed weather including showers are predicted for Dublin and the former Cork goalkeeper believes they would suit his own county more than Clare.

“When I woke up the last day I was hoping it would rain for Cork’s sake,” Cusack wrote on gaa.ie.

“If it rains on Saturday it would be hard to see Clare scoring 25 points with a wet ball. One variable. One huge swing.”