Allianz League finals fixed for next weekend

THE GAA confirmed last night that the Allianz League finals will be played next weekend, with the two football deciders in Croke Park on Sunday and the hurling game in Thurles on Monday.

The Games Administration Committee met after yesterday’s game in Croke Park and also fixed the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Under-21 football championship for next Saturday, in Limerick and Navan.

Monaghan and Meath will be first into action in the Division Two final of the NFL in Croke Park on Sunday, followed by the Division One clash of Armagh and Wexford.

The Kilkenny-Clare NHL final in Thurles on Monday will have a 4.30pm throw-in, with the possibility of two colleges games being played before it.

There was speculation that the hurling final would be played in Croke Park but it is generally accepted that Thurles is the ideal venue. Kilkenny played Tipperary in the 2003 final in Croke Park and that was the first decider there since 1991, when Offaly beat Wexford to win their first title.

Saturday: All-Ireland U21 football semi-finals: Cork v Galway, Limerick, 3.45pm; Down v Dublin, Navan, 3.30pm.

Sunday: Allianz NFL finals Division Two: Meath v Monaghan, Croke Park, 2pm; Division One: Armagh v Wexford, Croke Park, 3.45pm.

Monday: Allianz NHL final: Kilkenny v Clare, Semple Stadium, 4.30pm.