Many Offaly hurling fans have taken to social media to express their dismay at the choice of venue for the Allianz League Division 1B final against Waterford.

The final has been fixed for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday week, April 6 when it will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Division 1A final between Cork and Tipperary. While the Leeside venue is convenient to three of the competing counties and facilitates a home and away arrangement between Cork and Tipp, it is a 200km drive from Tullamore and other parts of the Faithful County.

To compound matters for Offaly fans thinking of travelling, tickets are at a premium for what is expected to be a 45,000 sellout.

On the flip side, Offaly football supporters are welcoming the new Sunday slot for the Allianz League Division 3 final against Kildare at Croke Park. The local derby will act as a curtain-raiser to the Division 1 final between Mayo and Kerry this coming weekend, and will have a 1.45pm throw-in.

It was originally pencilled in for Saturday evening as part of a double-header with the Division 4 decider between Wexford and Limerick, but was switched to Sunday after a request by Roscommon to play their Division 2 final against Monaghan on Saturday was granted.

The Rossies looked for the final to be brought forward as they had faced a six-day turnaround to their Connacht SFC opener against London in Ruislip on Saturday week. The change of date will undoubtedly encourage more Offaly people to travel, while the attendance will also be bigger and the atmosphere significantly better with the Division 1 final following.

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