Leinster U-20 hurling final fixed for Carlow

THE Leinster U-20 Hurling Championship final between Offaly and Wexford will take place in Carlow's Netwatch Cullen Park next Wednesday evening at 7.30pm - after Leinster Council examined their various options on Thursday morning.

The game will be live on TG4 and it promises to be a massive occasion. It could attract a crowd in the region of 10,000 as both Offaly and Wexford are mad for success.

There was plenty of speculation about the final with Portlaoise and Kilkenny also in the mix. However, Carlow was always likely to be the choice. Offaly and Wexford have met there occasionally over the years while Portlaoise would be very convenient for Offaly and Kilkenny much handier for Wexford – Carlow is more or less half way between the two counties.

Both counties recorded huge wins in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening with Offaly once again mixing a great level of skill with a tremendous work ethic to see off Dublin while Wexford had a superb and dramatic win over favourites, Kilkenny.

Offaly eliminated the 2020 All-Ireland minor hurling champions, Galway in the quarter-final and both them and Wexford will have their confidence soaring. It is a 50-50 game and the stakes are huge as there is an All-Ireland final place at stake for the winners – Offaly or Wexford will meet the Munster champions in the All-Ireland final. Clare and Cork play in that on Monday evening.