GAA take drastic action to fill Leinster hurling final amid RTE pundits arguing it should be taken OUT of Croke Park

THE Leinster Council are gifting 20,000 tickets for its upcoming hurling final to underage GAA teams.
While batches of free tickets are often made available to the next generation of Gaelic football and hurling players, that is a particularly sizeable quantity.
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TJ Reid, Derek Lyng and Co await Galway on Sunday week
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Joe Canning said on Sunday that he'd 'love' to see it moved to a smaller ground to ensure it has a good atmosphere
Credit: @TheSundayGame
It would appear to be a proactive measure given doubts over how many fans from Galway and Kilkenny will take on the hefty expense of venturing up to Dublin for the June 8 decider.
After
Speaking on The Sunday Game Live, the Galway great reasoned: "I'd love to see it out of Croke Park, being honest about it.
"I think the whole atmosphere…it's too big for the crowd that shows up for a Leinster final. Imagine a full Tullamore or Portlaoise instead?
Read More On GAA
"You'd get a full house there alright. Remember we played you guys there a few times? (At which point he beckoned to Jackie Tyrrell who was nodding in agreement beside him).
"It would add to the whole thing. At a smaller ground you'll get a better atmosphere - and it's not going all the way up to Dublin.
"But having said that it's great to get a day out in Croke Park."
The moment was clipped by The Sunday Game's social team and judging off the replies, Canning's suggestion received broad support.
Most read in GAA Hurling
Conor Counihan threw another potential setting into the mix, tweeting: "Thurles would be ideal.
"Smack bang between both counties and so easily accessible.
RTE pundit Joe Canning urges GAA to make huge change for Leinster hurling final as fans 'totally agree'
"And before anyone says Thurles isn't in Leinster, both sides played in Leinster final replay in Thurles before (in 2018)."
Upon yesterday's announcement, Leinster Council chairman Derek Kent explained the details around it with applications required by 12pm on June 4.
He outlined: "This is a celebration of our young players and an investment in the future of our games.
"We want every child involved in GAA to feel connected to the bigger picture – to see our players in action, feel the energy of championship days, and be inspired their hurling heroes.
"By offering 20,000 free tickets to our players, we're not only giving them a great day out, we're showing them they belong to something special."
The giveaway is open to groups of 10 kids comprised of the U14 age grade or younger. Each group must be accompanied by a minimum of two adults.
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