Minor footballers feature in treble header for Offaly Tailteann Cup game

FIXTURE details have been announced for the senior football Tailteann Cup game between Offaly and Down on Saturday.

It takes place in O'Connor Park in Tullamore on Saturday next at 6pm and is the concluding part of a long treble header.

The busy day starts off with a tier 2 minor football game between Offaly and Armagh at 12.30pm – the minor footballers have a chance of a consolation prize after Meath ended their Leinster championship ambitions in the quarter-final.

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The two games involving Offaly are either side of the All-Ireland U20 B football final between Down and Sligo at 4pm. It makes sense to play the minor game in Tullamore but it won't be ideal for Offaly supporters, who will certainly have very little interest in the Down v Sligo game: The minor game couldn’t be played as a direct curtain raiser to the senior as this is not allowed by the GAA but admission into it will be free.

Offaly GAA have also brought forward local football fixtures to 2pm on Saturday, to avoid a clash with the Tailteann Cup game. A Division 1 Football League game between Shamrocks and Rhode clashed directly with their Tailteann Cup win over Clare in Ennis and this did not look good for the County Board or the clubs involved. The game proceeded as a result of an agreement between the two clubs but the County Board have taken charge on this occasion by ensuring clubs can’t have an official fixture clashing directly with an Offaly one.

The games switched to 2pm, with first named at home are:

Division 2 FL: Ballinagar v Tubber;

Division 3 FL: Walsh Island v Raheen;

Division 4 FL: Doon v Shamrocks; Shannonbridge v Tullamoire; Kilclonfert v Daingean