Railway Cup final set for Paris

Following in the footsteps of the hurlers visit to Rome last year, the 2004 Railway Cup football final is to be played in Paris on November 13.

GAA President Sean Kelly this afternoon announced details of the interprovincial championships, adding that the decision to take the football decider to the French capital was based to the success of last year's Italy trip.

"We were delighted with the response we received in Rome last year, and I know that all of the players derived great satisfaction from the trip," said Mr Kelly.

Noel Skehan's Leinster side retained the hurling title at the Giulio Onesti ground in 2003, defeating Connacht 4-9 to 2-12.

The 2004 hurling tournament sees Ulster line out against Connacht at Casement Park on October 23.

The other semi between Leinster and Munster, will be played as a curtain raiser to the second International Rules Test between Ireland and Australia, at Croke Park on October 24.

The venue for the November 7 final is yet to be decided.

In this year's football tournament, the GAA are to stage Hallowe'en semi-finals - with Ulster facing Connacht in Castlebar on October 31, and Leinster taking on Munster in Mullingar on the same afternoon.