The GAA has confirmed a full house for Saturday evening's All Ireland hurling final replay between Cork and Clare. Just like last year's second act between Galway and Kilkenny.
"We have been able to make available children's tickets, which are €10, for the competing counties, as we did for last year's replay, to make it easier on families travelling up to Croke Park," said GAA spokesman Alan Milton.
Some 23,000 tickets were spread across the four competing counties, both minor and senior, on September 8th but that amount is now being divvied up between just Clare and Cork supporters. No tickets will go on general release.
“There is not same demand in neutral counties but Cork clubs have such a large support base that we would anticipate a full house come Sunday.”
The focus now switches to team selection, with Cork possibly making changes in personnel as veteran wing back Tom Kenny comes into consideration, having been dropped for a fit again Brian Murphy, and Cian McCarthy's physicality may be an alternative in the half-forward line.
Rebel footballers Aidan Walsh and Ciarán Sheehan, both excellent underage hurlers, were training with the panel in recent weeks but neither is expected to be added to the match day squad. Jimmy Barry-Murphy will release his starting XV tonight.
Clare are not expected to make any changes, with David McInerney, Colm Galvin, Tony Kelly and Podge Collins all coming through the under-21 All-Ireland final unscathed but the focus is on whether manager Davy Fitzgerald will seek to plug gaps in his defence.
Fitzgerald abandoned the sweeper option three weeks ago but Cork’s three goals may prompt a re-think.
Meanwhile, Parnell Park is expecting several thousand Dublin supporters to attend the Goal Challenge tonight (throw-in 6pm). The A versus B exhibition match will include Jim Gavin's players not injured in Sunday's All-Ireland final.
Admission is €8, while under-16s are free .
Proceeds from the gate will go to Goal programmes in the developing world and raise awareness for the Opt for Life charity championed by RTÉ analyst Joe Brolly to help reform about organ donation practices in Ireland.
