Break with tradition – Saturday evening semi-final for Kilkenny’s side of All Ireland draw

By COLIN BARTLEY

IN A break with tradition, the GAA are to hold the first of this year’s All Ireland hurling semi-finals on a Saturday evening, and Kilkenny could be playing.

Today the GAA confirmed the times and dates of the remaining fixtures in this year’s hurling championship.

The first semi-final will feature All Ireland Champions Limerick, with that match taking place at 6pm on Saturday, 27th July in Croke Park.

In a novel departure for the GAA, this Saturday evening throw-in allows fans experience the nightlife of Dublin in a relaxed way, without the usual hassle of having to travel home for work on Monday morning.

Kilkenny are on the side of the draw of the Saturday evening semi-final, but must first overcome the winners of the Cork v Westmeath match to faces Limerick in Croker.

That Kilkenny v Cork/Westmeath quarter-final match takes place Sunday, 14th July at 2 pm in headquarters.

On the other side of the draw, Wexford await the winners of the Tipperary v Dublin/Laois game. That semi-final will be played in the traditional Sunday slot of 3.30pm.