Kilkenny and Wexford will get to test the new Croke Park playing surface ahead of their Leinster hurling final on July 7th. Concerns about the poor bounce on the pitch have forced the GAA to break from their original plans and allow both counties to arrange a training session in Croke Park within the next fortnight.

Earlier this week representatives from counties still involved in the Leinster championship examined the new pitch at GAA headquarters, which was meant to be their only opportunity to test the improved surface. Dublin and Meath had no complaints on the football front, but Kilkenny and Wexford weren't quite sure about the bounce of the sliothar on the new pitch.

"It plays a bit like a golf green," said Kilkenny secretary Pat Dunphy. "When the ball comes down from a height there is no great bounce, so we felt it was important that we get to play on it before the final to avoid any misjudgments or errors which could be very costly on the day."

Leinster Council chairman Nicky Brennan said yesterday that arrangements would now be made for both counties to get into Croke Park for a training session. "There were genuine concerns about judging the bounce of the ball," said Brennan, "and in light of that we decided we should give them the chance to fully test the feel and flow of the ball on the pitch.

"We haven't finalised dates yet but we will get them in for a training session over the next fortnight. But we wouldn't want them to do an overly intense training session either."

The high level of sand and gravel beneath the grass contributes to the reduced bounce. The surface of rye grass, which has longer roots than other varieties, is also stitched into synthetic material at intervals of a couple of inches.

This sort of surface has been successfully installed in a number of English soccer grounds, including Anfield, Villa Park and Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium. The surface had been tested for its suitability for hurling, though questions clearly remain about how the new Croke Park surface will adapt to the game.

Sunday's football semi-final between Dublin and Meath is expected to pull a crowd close to the current capacity of 65,000.