Bus strikes to add to All-Ireland chaos

RESTRICTIONS There will be strictly no entry onto Jones Road from Clonliffe Road and North Circular Road for 30 minutes after the match in Croke Park ends this Saturday evening. Pic: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

Edwin McGreal

Mayo supporters travelling to the All-Ireland Football Final replay in Croke Park are facing further traffic chaos if the planned strike by Dublin Bus drivers goes ahead on Saturday.
Planned strikes for today (Tuesday) and Wednesday were called off last night after talks between Dublin Bus and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU). However, the planned strike for Saturday has not yet been called off.
Dublin Bus drivers are seeking a pay rise in excess of the 8.25 percent rise recommended by the Labour Court.
Should the strike go ahead, Mayo supporters are urged to plan accordingly to curtail any delay. Fans are advised to allow extra time for their journey east on Saturday and to be conscious of a significant backlog of traffic after the game.
Gardaí have also issued crowd-control directives which supporters need to be aware of.
It will be difficult for fans to access Jones’ Road (immediately west of the Hogan Stand) after the game, so post-game meeting points should avoid this area.
There will be strictly no entry onto Jones Road from Clonliffe Road and North Circular Road for 30 minutes after the match ends.
The only patrons that will be allowed onto Jones Road are ticket holders for the Hogan Stand, Hogan Premium and Nally Terrace.
Supporters exiting the Stadium at Russell Street Bridge (behind the corner of the Hogan and Davin Stands, crossing the Royal Canal) will be directed to turn left for Gills’ Junction (North Circular Road); no right turn will be permitted towards Clonliffe Road.
Fans exiting the Nally Terrace and G Turnstiles of Hogan Stand must turn right towards Clonliffe Road.
Supporters parked in the Clonliffe College carpark are advised to remain in the stadium after the game, as cars parked in that carpark will not be permitted to leave Clonliffe College until 45 minutes after the game.
Supporters should stayed tuned to news announcements later this week about traffic management plans for Saturday’s game.
Special trains are running from Mayo on Saturday. They will depart from Westport at 10.05am, Castlebar at 10.17am, Claremorris at 10.36am and Ballyhaunis at 10.50am. Those trains will arrive at Heuston Station at 1.30pm.
Trains will depart Ballina at 9.05am, Foxford at 9.15am and also stopping at Claremorris at 9.42am and Ballyhaunis at 9.56am. Those trains will arrive at Heuston at 12.25pm.
The return trains will depart Heuston Station at 8.50pm for Westport and 9.10pm to Ballina. More details on www.irishrail.ie. Advance booking required.

Tickets
While clubs in Mayo received tickets on Sunday last matching their allocations from the drawn game, it is not expected to be known until tomorrow (Wednesday) how many extra tickets clubs will be receiving for the replay.
Clubs will be receiving extra tickets and these numbers may be further boosted by possible returns to Croke Park of tickets from other parts of the country.
Over half of the total tickets Mayo clubs will receive are for standing terrace sections in either the Nally Terrace or Hill 16.
Tickets for the replay are priced at €60 for seated tickets and €30 for terrace tickets. The GAA came under criticism last week for charging €60 for seated tickets. In recent years tickets for All-Ireland hurling final replays were reduced to €50.
The replay is expected to be a sell-out and Mayo supporters’ groups are urging Mayo fans to be as loud and colourful as they were for the drawn game.
Meanwhile the official Mayo GAA team banquet will take place in Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Dublin on Saturday night.
Tables of ten cost €600, while tickets can be purchased individually for €60. ‘Afters’ tickets can be purchased for €20. Contact Dermot on 094 9250487 or 087 6219843 if you wish to purchase banquet tickets.