Semple Stadium Thurles Likely To Host U-21 All-Ireland Hurling Finals

This year’s Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship finals are likely to be held at Semple Stadium in Thurles for the first time since 2006.

GAA Director General Mr Paraic Duffy confirmed this afternoon that Semple Stadium has been mooted as the possible venue for the U-21 Championship decider over the weekend of September 11th and 12th.

Speaking at today’s launch at Croke Park, Mr Duffy said:

Semple Stadium

“It probably won’t be played here. It all depends on who is in the final. It is more than likely to be played in Thurles. The reason for that, is we want to play both the U-21 ‘A’ final and the U-21 ‘B’ final together. The problem for the last number of years is that the ‘B’ final ends up being played in front of two men and a dog in some places and that’s not fair on the teams at that level. I assume it will be Thurles because normally it’s the natural venue for the teams that will be involved.“