Hurling and camogie join up for big double-header in Nowlan Park this weekend

it’s set to be a fantastic day of sport in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday afternoon, with the O’Neill’s.com All-Ireland Under-20 Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Tipperary taking centre stage.

The final venue came about as a result of a home and away arrangement between the two counties, and as luck would have it, the ball has bounced in Kilkenny’s favour for a replica of the All-Ireland Minor Final from last year.

As a result of the home venue - and maybe being a little outnumbered by Tipperary supporters for that minor final - Kilkenny GAA has launched a social media campaign to Pack the Park.

Communications Officer Mary Morgan, as well as the Kilkenny County Board, have called on clubs and schools to send in videos, photos and good luck messages as they look to drum up sizeable support for the Kilkenny team. It’s more than rightly deserved after the Cats won the Leinster title in great style last week.

Tickets for the game are selling fast and can be bought on Ticketmaster with Adult Stand tickets available at €25, and the terrace equivalent costing €20.

The final will throw-in at 3pm and is live on TG4.

In an added bonus and more welcome news, the senior camogie team will act as the curtain rasier when they face Waterford in Round 2 of the All-Ireland Championship on Saturday at 12.30pm.

While the camogie team have had a double-header with the senior hurlers during league games in the recent past, the addition of such a high profile clash on a big occasion for everyone in Kilkenny is most welcome.

Tommy Shefflin’s team put the recent skorts/shorts controversy behind them when claiming a big win away to Derry in Owenbeg last Saturday, but this will be a much sterner test against a Deise side that only appeared in the All-Ireland Final two years ago.

A win here would move the Cats into a very positive position, and it’s hoped that a big crowd will head in early to support both Kilkenny teams.