Birr’s Claffey ready to ‘greet’ neighbours

THE island of Ireland covers an area of almost 33,000 square miles but, with Birr just half an hour down the road from Portumna, the St Patrick’s Day Club hurling final will be very much a local affair this year.

From Bridge Road in Portumna to John’s Place in the Offaly town across the border, it is just over 22 miles down the N65 and N22.

The two sides are so close they have used the same training pitch in recent months.