GAA holds off on replay start time

Leinster Council chiefs will meet later today to finalise details of Saturday’s provincial semi-final replay between Galway and Kilkenny in Tullamore.

A number of factors are at play before officials can settle on a start time: the possibility of Offaly securing a home draw in the All-Ireland qualifiers this morning while they are also exploring the slim possibility of live television coverage of the clash.

Next Saturday is a busy day for RTÉ Sports with the Irish Derby from the Curragh and World Cup action in Brazil. The other GAA rights holders, Sky Sports, will be broadcasting the Ulster SFC semi-final between Armagh and Monaghan that evening also.

Leinster Council chairman John Horan explained that a clearer picture will emerge this evening. “There are a number of factors we have to look at in our Competitions Control Committee meeting but it will definitely be on Saturday evening. We will have a clearer picture after the qualifier draw and we can also see what, if any, options are there with regards to TV coverage on Saturday but that is unlikely given all the other things that are happening.”

Mr Horan said that yesterday’s thriller, which finished Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 5-16, was ‘a great advertisement’ for Leinster hurling.

“It just goes to show how competitive Leinster hurling has become. People have been raving about the games in the Munster championship this year but look at what has been happening here. The first game betweenGalway and Laois was sensational and was in the balance right until the final minute. Then you had the incredible atmosphere down in Wexford Park when Dublin came to play. And now this today, and hopefully more of the same to come next weekend. And we haven’t even gotten to Croke Park yet!”