All-Ireland U-20 hurling final set to be deferred by a week due to Joe McDonagh clash
Conor Doyle celebrates Offaly's Leinster U-20 win. — © SPORTSFILE
The All-Ireland U-20 hurling final is set to be deferred by a week to avoid a conflict of interest for players involved with both Offaly and Cork.
The GAA's Central Competition Controls Committee is expected to accede to requests for a date change because of the involvement of three Offaly players on both the U-20 and Joe McDonagh Cup squads.
The Joe McDonagh Cup final between Offaly and Carlow and the All-Ireland U-20 final were due for double billing in Croke Park on Saturday week, May 27.
But Offaly's involvement in both brings direct conflict for their captain Charlie Mitchell, who starts for both teams and senior panelists Sam Bourke and Joe Hoctor, who are also both in the U-20 squad.
Any deferral would also benefit Cork senior Eoin Downey, who has missed recent U-20 games in Munster because of the seven-day rule that precludes players from playing in both competitions in that timeframe.
By playing the U-20 final on the Sunday, Downey would be outside that window with Cork having played Limerick in the final Munster round robin game on the previous Sunday, May 28.
CCCC are believed to be looking at Sunday June 4 as an alternative for the U-20 final, possibly on the same double bill as the All-Ireland minor final.
