THE IRISH INVASION!
 By GRAINNE
McLOUGHLIN
THE SCRAMBLE has started in preparation for the biggest Irish sporting
event in Britain this year.
Tens of thousands of Irish rugby fans are expected to descend on Cardiff’s
Millennium Stadium at the end of May to see either Munster or Leinster
battle it out in the Heineken European Cup final.
With Leinster and Munster facing each other in the semi-final on April
23 an Irish team is guaranteed to make it to the final for the first time
since 2002.
And with Ireland having won the Six Nations Triple Crown earlier this
year and rugby interest in the country at an all time high Cardiff has
been told to prepare for an invasion.
One sporting fan said: “Irish rugby lovers will be arriving in Cardiff
in their droves.
“Not only are spirits particularly high with Ireland winning the
Triple Crown but the Munster rugby team has probably the best travelling
fanbase in the whole of Europe.
“If you could fit 60,000 Munster fans in alone you’d fill
the stadium with them. It’s going to get crazy.”
And Millennium Stadium chief Executive Paul Sergeant said if it’s
anything like the 2002 Cup final when Munster were pipped to the title
by Leicester Tigers it promises to be a magnificent weekend.
He said: “The crowd of 74,600 from that 2002 final is still the
highest attendance we have had at the Millennium Stadium.
“We had upwards of 30,000 Munster fans in south Wales that weekend
and all the indications are we can expect the same next month regardless
of which team makes it through.”
But for loyal fans hoping to see their team to victory it’s not
going to be cheap.
Ryanair has already hiked prices from Dublin for flights into Bristol
on the weekend of May 20. Capitalising on the all-Irish descent into Cardiff
the no-frills Irish airline has bumped up its prices to a £288 for
those leaving Dublin on Friday night and returning on Sunday.
Rugby fans ready to take over Millennium Stadium
The same journey with Ryanair the following weekend would cost just £39.
Leinster fan Patrick Hyland said he was disgusted at the price increase.
He said: “People in Ireland have travelled all over the country
and beyond in support of their teams.
“The delight that Ireland will be represented in the Heineken Cup
final has been marred by the fact it has deliberately been made so costly
— and by one of our own airlines.
“I know I’ll pay the money to go but I think it’s a
disgrace that other loyal fans might not be able to on account of the
expense.”
Hotel prices in the Cardiff area have also rocketed — with many
establishments already sold out.
Out of 25 hotels telephoned by The Irish Post only one — The Future
Inn on Cardiff Bay — was able to provide accommodation.
One Munster fan said: “People simply can’t get anywhere to
stay.
“I’ve friends in Cardiff and I can stay with them but otherwise
I wouldn’t know what to do.
“Everywhere is just booked out.”
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