GAA primed for bumper weekend

GAA chiefs are counting down to one of the most lucrative weekends of the season with 10 major games down for decision and close to 200,000 expected through the turnstiles.

Provincial finals in Munster and Leinster are expected, on present estimates, to attract 85,000 people while key qualifier games elsewhere should at least double that figure overall.

Munster Council spokesman Ger Ryan suggested that Thurles’ 44,000 capacity is unlikely to be met for Sunday’s provincial hurling final between Waterford and Tipperary though a healthy 40,000 crowd is likely.