Offaly fail to have U21 decider postponed

Offaly's request to have Wednesday's Leinster U21 hurling final against Kilkenny postponed due to the participation of the Faithful county in the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers this Saturday has fallen on deaf ears.

The Leinster Council's Competitions Control Committee (CCC) decided not to accede to Offaly's request, despite the bulk of the Under-21 panel also playing a key role in the progress of the senior side.

Eight U21 players were involved last Saturday as Offaly accounted for last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists Limerick in a memorable third round qualifier at the Gaelic Grounds.

Wednesday's U21 decider will have a 7.30pm throw-in at O'Connor Park in Tullamore.

The final had originally been scheduled for St. Brendan's Park in Birr, but health and safety officials put an attendance cap of 4,000 at the newly redeveloped ground.

It is anticipated that a crowd in excess of double this figure will be present for the game.