Offaly’s qualification for the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B final has raised the prospect of it clashing with the county’s opening defence of their Leinster and All-Ireland U20HC titles next month.

The Faithful County secured promotion to Division 1A for 2026 and a place in the Division 1B final without pucking a ball last weekend following Dublin’s defeat of Carlow. However, the League final – which is likely to be against Waterford who they play in their final group match on Saturday week in Dungarvan – is slated for the same weekend as the U20s begin their All-Ireland defence against Galway.

The Leinster U20HC tie is scheduled for Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Saturday, April 5, while the League final is set to take place on April 5/6. Even if the Division 1B decider is fixed for the Sunday, a busy weekend awaits the likes of Donal Shirley, James Mahon, Ter Guinan, Dan Ravenhill and possibly Adam Screeney, who will hope to have recovered from a groin injury by then.  

Offaly’s other Leinster U20HC Tier 1 fixture is at home to Laois on Saturday, April 12. All three teams in the group will progress to the knockout stages, with the third-placed team having to settle for a preliminary quarter-final on Wednesday, April 23.

The second-placed team will progress to a quarter-final on Monday, May 5, while the group winner will qualify directly for a semi-final on Wednesday, May 14. The final will be played on Wednesday, May 21.

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