Record crowd expected

LEINSTER COUNCIL officials have confirmed that they are expecting a crowd of over 80,000 to attend Sunday’s provincial final between Dublin and Offaly, writes Brendan O’Brien.

That will comfortably take it over the season’s record of 67,970 which saw Paul Caffrey’s side defeat Laois by 14 points in the semi-final.

Over 60,000 of those going to Croke Park this weekend are expected to be Dublin fans, but Offaly manager Kevin Kilmurray isn’t concerned about that imbalance in the stands and on Hill 16.

“It’s a great occasion and the fact that the Dubs are in it makes it even better because of their colour. If you stand beside a Dub at any match you’re going to be entertained.

“That’s adds to the atmosphere. Eighty thousand people is not to be scoffed at.”