Ireland's progress in the Rugby World Cup is bad news for the GAA's coffers as attendances at county finals are expected to be lower than usual this weekend.

For instance, tomorrow's eagerly anticipated Ireland v France game in Cardiff clashes with 18 senior county deciders throughout the country and The Irish Independent estimates that some counties could lose out to the tune of €25,000.

The rugby game has a 4.45pm start and some County Board's have reacted by bringing forward the throw-in times of their games.

The Limerick and Clare hurling final will start 3pm while the Cork meeting of Sarsfields and Glen Rovers is due to commence at 3.15pm.

In football, Wicklow (2.30pm), Offaly (2.45pm), Carlow (3pm), Galway (3pm), Cavan (3pm) will all have completed their football finals before the start of the rugby but Tyrone and Westmeath (3.30pm) will complete their games at the same time as the start of the rugby game.

Armagh and Down have scheduled their finals for 4pm which means they won't finish until 5.15pm.

If Joe Schmidt's Ireland overcome the French, their quarter-final will be played on Sunday week which is also scheduled to host county finals as well as provincial championship games.

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