Offaly Joe McDonagh Cup game confirmed for Kildare's training ground

OFFALY'S Joe McDonagh Cup clash has been confirmed for the Kildare GAA training grounds at Hawkfield on Sunday.

While the capacity has not been confirmed yet, it is likely to be an all ticket fixture. Approximately 3,000 people attended the National Hurling League Division 2 final between Offaly and Kildare in Portlaoise a couple of weeks ago and the Offaly GAA County Board had voiced their concerns about them being allowed to use their county training grounds for the fixture.

St Conleth's Park in Newbridge is closed as it is being refurbished and it took Croke Park authorities an unusually long time to adjudicate on the venue for the fixture. Even allowing for the bank holiday Monday, their fixtures would be normally finalised well before Wednesday as Kildare fought for the right to host their home game in Hawkfield.

Kildare have confirmed that they won't be attempting to get any senior football championship fixtures played in Hawkfield but felt it could cope with the hurling fixture.

It will certainly suit Kildare getting it into a small, compact ground after a shock mauling by Carlow in their Joe McDonagh Cup opener last weekend. Offaly had a fine win over Laois and won't be letting talk about what is an unsuitable venue distract from their preparations.

With Kildare on a downer after Saturday's result, the interest is likely to be less than the league final when they were aiming for promotion to Division 1 for the first time but Hawkfield would still not be able to facilitate everyone interested going to the game.

The game has a 2.00pm throw in and details of capacity and tickets will be announced later.