Munster and Leinster clubs to clash in Thurles

SEMPLE Stadium in Thurles is the probable venue for next months’s AIB All-Ireland club semi-finals involving the Munster and Leinster champions.

The hurling semi-finals will be played on February 15 and the football equivalents a week later. Referees for the games have been appointed but not yet announced and the Games Administration Committee will decide on the venues at the weekend.

Thurles is viewed as the natural choice for the meeting of Cork champions Newtownshandrum and O'Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny on February 15, a game almost certain to decide the destination of the trophy.