Galway officials hopeful 3,000 can attend Shefflin’s sideline debut

GALWAY GAA officials are keeping their fingers crossed that no further Covid restrictions will be brought in ahead of Sunday week’s Walsh Cup opener between Galway and Offaly hurlers in Ballinasloe.

There is huge interest in the fixture as it marks Henry Shefflin’s competitive debut as new Galway senior team manager.

With only 50% of Duggan Park’s capacity of 6,000 allowed entry under current coronavirus regulations, the crowd for Shefflin’s first appearance on the Galway sideline will be capped at around 3,000.

Over 2,500 tickets are already on sale for the fixture, with children under 14 being allowed in free.

New County Board Chairman Paul Bellew said that the game was catching the imagination of the local hurling public despite the time of year, with a lot of interest in neighbouring Offaly as well.

“We are hoping the restrictions will stay as they are as it’s a match a lot of  people want to see,“ added Bellew.