THE agreement between the Munster and Leinster Councils on the timing of the two provincial hurling finals on Sunday has been widely welcomed by the sporting public and has assured RTE of huge viewing figures for the back-to-back broadcasting of the two games.

The Munster match at Pairc Ui Chaoimh between Limerick and Tipperary will start at 2.30 and the Leinster final at Croke Park between Offaly and Wexford at 4.0. The Leinster minor final between Dublin and Kilkenny will start 2.15.

RTE will bed hoping that the replay in Cork doesn't end in another draw, thereby necessitating extra time. If that were to happen RTE would be forced by their commitments to Leinster to abandon the extra time and switch over to Croke Park, a move which would not please most viewers.

Meanwhile, hopes were building last night in Wexford that their stylish veteran George O'Connor will be fit to play. A hand injury has limited his involvement in training in the past two weeks.

A spokesman for the Wexford squad said yesterday: "Anyone" who knows George knows that its would take more than a sore hand to stop him playing in this match in what may very well be his last championship campaign."