Clare v Mayo Rd 3 Qualifier

Clare v Mayo Rd 3 Qualifier

Clare v Mayo Rd 3 Qualifier Cusack Park Ennis

The Mayo players and supporters are taking the scenic route back to Croke Park again this year. Clare are the next obstacle on that route for us this weekend. The Clare v Mayo Rd 3 qualifier throws in at 5pm in Cusack Park Ennis. As always we’d advise all supporters intending to travel on Saturday to leave early!

Tickets

Tickets will be available at all the usual outlets and online  (tickets have sold out online as of Thursday 6th). We’d advise to get your tickets early. Although its not expected to sell out, the ground is restricted to about 14,800. Most likely there will be a ticket van selling tickets on the day outside Cusack Park. Season ticket holders are reminded that you will not need to print your tickets for this match, you will need to bring your season ticket cards. The stand is unreserved seating but there is a very limited number of seats in it, certainly not enough to accommodate all the Mayo season ticket holders even.. Its also worth noting that anyone over 5′ 6″ might be a little uncomfortable as the legroom is a little *tight*!

Getting There

Most Mayo fans will be fairly familiar with Cusack park. Its handy enough to get to, just of the motorway. We’d advise leaving early though, we hear that there has been serious hold ups in Tuam in the past week. With the new bypass nearly completed, they are now tying in with the existing main road which is now causing major delay’s around Tuam.

Bus’s 

mayo supporters bus-mayo fans bus

(Pic: independent.ie)

We are waiting for confirmation on bus’s travelling to the match on Saturday. We will add them here as we get confirmation. If you know of any other match bus’s, let us know and we’ll add then to the list.

  • TMG Transport : Bus departing Swinford. Contact Michael Griffin 087 4458766

Parking

As most fans know, parking is fairly restricted around Cusack Park. We’d advise to be weary of where you park near the ground, as Gardai have on previous occasions issued parking tickets to match goers. There is a tesco and Aldi beside the pitch (pay & display) but from experience, there were stewards on the gates not allowing match goers parking. Clare County Council have kindly offered free parking at their office’s on Saturday for fans. https://twitter.com/ClareCoCo/status/882569611455205376

 

 

Clare county council offer free parking for Mayo fans

Clare Co Co offer free parking for Gaa fans.

Other car parks in Ennis (note: free €1.30 per hour 9.30 – 5.30 Sat)

  • Woodquay car park
  • Parnell St car park
  • Abby St car park
  • Cornmarket car park
  • Lower Market St car park

Bring The ColourBring The Noise

We can’t say this enough! There is nothing to beat the colour and atmosphere you’ll get with flags and banners and the Mayo Roar on championship day. There has been a huge increase in the amount of colour and flags at Mayo match’s in recent years which is brilliant to see. Don’t forget to bring your flags on Sunday and let’s TURN Cusack Park GREEN AND RED. There will be a large 60ft x 30ft flag display on the town end terrace by Mayo Independent Supporters Club, details here.

Mayo flags at Mayo v Derry in MacHale Park Castlebar

Mayo Independent Supporters Club flag at the Mayo v Derry rd 2 qualifier in MacHale Park.

David Gavin Emergency Fund Collection

This Saturday at Half Time during the Mayo v Clare game in Ennis, friends and family members will be holding a collection to continue the fight to find Gav and bring him home to where he belongs.

Please support!!!

David Gavin emergency fund collection

Pic: Breaffy GAA

Killarney, Here We Come

Killarney, Here We Come

And We’re Off …

Finally – finally! – the countdown is almost over. It’s time to check the tyres and top up the oil in anticipation of the long trip to Killarney. It’s been a long winter – long than we’ve become accustomed to in recent years – but the competitive inter-county season is about to throw in at last. Sunday 2pm in Fitzgerald Park is the one we’ve been waiting for as Mayo travel to take on All-Ireland champions (it still sticks in the craw a bit, doesn’t it?) Kerry in their back yard. But a new year is a new year and forward we must look.

As competitive fare goes, this game is unlikely to reveal much in terms of prospects for the year ahead, due to the fact that both teams are missing a number of key players, but what’s really important is the points that are at stake. To take two points from the Kingdom from under their own roof would make for a satisfying start to the year, so Killarney here we come, and here’s hoping our old reliables and our new young guns get a good run at it and make the road home a short one.

Club ’51 will also be making the trip south to this stunning part of the country (don’t tell them we said that) and will be aiming to claim a significant proportion of Fitzgerald Stadium for the green and red. Anecdotally, it appears that the Mayo faithful are hitting the road in huge numbers this weekend, so if you’re looking for a place to lay your head, get on it ASAP otherwise you’ll be kipping in the back of the car. If you’re doing a day trip, amid warnings of unsettled weather over the next few days, be sure to plan ahead and leave in plenty of time -and  arrive alive and unfrazzled. And for those of you doing the Ring of Kerry cycle on Saturday, may the wind be at your backs all the way, you mad yokes.

Mayo car green and red ford fiesta

If this is your car, leave early. Like, tonight. (Pic: Balls.ie)

On The Day

In what is now becoming a time-honoured, revered and legendary tradition (a whole year old this weekend, in fact) Club ’51 will be assembling before the game in a local hostelry to mingle, give out about the weather and unanimously agree that Mayo is just as nice a spot as Kerry, we just don’t need to go on about it all the time. On the morning of the game, get yourselves to the Killarney Royal Hotel on College Street  from 11.30am. Located only a ten-minute walk from Fitzgerald Stadium, we have it on good account that their hospitality is second to none. There is a traditional Irish lunch menu in the restaurant, or check out the bar/bistro menu where you can get  bar food like soup, salads, burgers and sambos.

It'd look grand with a lick of green and red paint  (Photo: Tripadvisor)

It’d look grand with a lick of green and red paint
(Photo: Tripadvisor)

 Parking Near The Ground

Parking is relatively easy, as Killarney has plenty of car parts in the town centre,none of which are a lengthy walk (15-20 mins max) to the stadium. The car parks on Lewis Road or beside Killarney Public Library  (on the N71) are the closest, so if you want the handier option (or if it’s raining), get in there early before the locals take all the good spots.

The Night Before

For those of you travelling down the night before, you’re in for a treat as Killarney is always a great spot for a few sociable beverages. On the Saturday evening from 9pm, some of the Mayo faithful will be convening in Tatler Jack on Plunkett St. (right in the heart of town) so do drop in if you’re feeling the bit of thirst. Tatler Jack is of course notable for featuring as it does some jerseys of the hallowed green and red, namely those of Gabriel Irwin and the mighty Willie Joe Padden. So therefore it’s practically a Mayo pub and you should feel right at home. Get practicing your “yerras” well in advance and if you meet any Kerry people on your travels be sure to assure them that we’ll barely manage to keep it kicked out to them. Nothing like getting in some mind game practice well in advance of the championship.

Last But Not Least …

That should be all you need to get you set for the weekend. Only one thing remains and that is a reminder to get behind our lads. None of us have forgotten Limerick, and if ever there was a time a team deserved a strong show of support, this is it. When our lads appear on the pitch, don’t be shy, don’t hold back but cheer for them like you’ve never cheered before. It might only be the first game in the League, but it marks the start of an another long road for this team, so let’s row in behind them and just like in Croke Park last August, be the 16th man again. Bring a flag, claim the stand and make them wonder in Kerry if they took a wrong turn and ended up on McHale Road.

And most of all stand tall and be proud of the green and red – our  colours – and all they stand for as  we look to the year ahead.

MAIGH EO ABÚ!

Flags

 

PS: A sincere thank you to our Kerry informants Caroline and Jerry for the helpful information – we won’t tell a soul! 

PPS: Don’t forget your toothbrush.

Mayo v Kerry – Car pooling to Limerick

Mayo v Kerry – Car pooling to Limerick

There’s been lots of wheeling and dealing over on our ticket swap forum in advance of the weekend. Hopefully by now you all have your tickets sorted, but if not, keep an eye on the site and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Mayo GAA car pooling

Photo: Independent.ie

Now to get to Limerick! You’ll have seen all the travel  info over on our main page, but in the interests of (a) cutting down on traffic and (b) having the extra bit of craic and (c) cutting your petrol/diesel costs, why not consider car pooling? If anyone is looking for a lift, or willing to give a lift, here is the place to sort it out. Comment below if you have space in your car or are looking for space in someone else’s!

Remember to car pool responsibly and pay your way!

Safe travels all.

We go again … and here’s how to get there

We go again … and here’s how to get there

Mayo v Kerry replay 30th august 2014

No matter which way you look at it, it’s pretty fair to say that the good old GAA has shafted us a bit this time out by packing ourselves and Kerry off to Limerick for the replay of the All-Ireland semi-final. In a decision that has angered pretty much everyone but Liam “Get On With It” O’Neill (who just couldn’t resist getting personal when Mayo raised objections), both sets of supporters are set for an almighty scramble for both tickets and car parking next Saturday. Plenty has been said about the decision, but we’re now at a point where protest is pointless, and our focus now needs to turn very firmly to getting behind the team at 5pm on Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds.

With that in mind, and also bearing in mind it’s not a ground most Mayo supporters are likely to be familiar with, we have once again pulled together some information for you on how to get there and where to park (if you’re driving). What we can’t help you with is getting out of Limerick after the game, but we’d strongly recommend you have a full tank of petrol and a mixtape at the ready ‘cos those tailbacks are going to be some craic on 8pm on Saturday night.

Anyway, here goes:

Travelling by Car?

If you’re taking the car, we have two magic words for you. Leave early! There’s no two ways about it – traffic will be chaotic, especially on the Mayo side. So leave yourself plenty of time. And consider car pooling as much as possible to cut down both on your costs and the traffic burden!

There will be two major bottlenecks – Claregalway and Clarinbridge. The former is difficult to get through on any day of the week. To avoid it, you can do the following:. Take the left turn just before the Mystical Rose Nursing Home, Knockdoe. Cross over the main Roscommon Road and continue for about 1.5 miles. Take a right at Cregmore school and you’ll exit onto the N18 close to Carnmore Cross. Roads are narrow here, so take care.

As for Clarinbridge, if you head out the old Dublin road, you can take the right turn for Kilcolgan at Craughwell – the roads aren’t great, but it’s an option to avoid that particular bottleneck.

Update: ROAD SAFETY WARNING  Thanks to Angela Coll for this information – Will you let your supporters know that are driving to Limerick please note the following:
On the Gort to Limerick motorway (Ennis bypass) the road between Exit 15 (Crusheen) and Exit 14 (Barefield), that when the road is wet (as it possibly will be this weekend) it is very dangerous stretch of motorway with numerous accidents. Clare Co Co have asked the NRA to investigate why there are always accidents on that stretch of road when it’s raining
Please please slow down for that 15 minute stretch of road… Arrive alive!

 Update: There’s a fair on in Clarinbridge too, so if you are travelling through, be prepared for delays.

UPdate: Castlegar GAA is organising 100k Steps for Cormac in aid of Pieta House which is starting at 1.30pm and will be passing through Clarinbridge.

  • Follow the road down from Ennis (N18), pass Bunratty Castle on your left
  • Leave the N18 at junction 4, then at roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the R445 (signposted Limerick City Centre)
  • At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445
  • And at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted Limerick).
  • Continue forward onto Ennis Road – R445
  • At Coonagh Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted City Centre, Dublin N7)
  • At traffic signals continue forward onto Ennis Road – R857
  • The Gaelic Grounds will be on your left.

Coming from Dublin isn’t too bad – it’s motorway the whole way – so when you get to Limerick, stay on the motorway and just follow the signs for Galway until you see the sign for Thomond Park/Gaelic Grounds on your left.

Parking is difficult, as there is very little near the ground. We have been advised that parking in housing estates is not wise -there is a danger of clamping so best to stick to the official (or indeed, unofficial) car parks, listed below:

Car Parks In Limerick

  • Arthurs Quay car park: Sunday 10am to 8pm.
  • Aviary car park: 24hrs. Dock Sd behind Domino’s Pizza.
  • Barringtons car park: 7am to 7pm. Sheep St, beside Barringtons hospital.
  • City Centre car park: Thomas St.
  • Cornmarket Square car park: Upper Denmark St.
  • Ellen St car park: Ellen St.
  • Euro Car park: Charlotte’s Quay.
  • Howley’s multi story car park: Henry St.
  • Q-Park car park: Denmark St.
  • Q-Park Harvey’s Quay: Henry St.
  • Steamboat Quay car park: Steamboat Quay, Dock Rd.
  • Summer Street Car Park: Summer St.
  • The Potato Market car park: Merchant’s Quay.
  • Also consider the Jetland Shopping Centre car park (Dunnes/Woodies) on the Ennis Road (take the exit for Caherdavin),
  • Tesco at Coonagh Cross just off the Ennis Road – both are 10-15 minutes walk to the ground.
  • Update: Na Piarsaigh GAA club is located close (1km) to the Gaelic Grounds and is opening up their parking (and bar) facilities. There are roughly 50 spaces – first come, first served.
  • Update: Limerick Institute of Technology on Cratloe Rd, will be open for parking (at a fee) from approximately 2pm on Saturday. LIT Campus is a 3 – 5 minute walk from the Gaelic Grounds.
  • Update: Limerick Camogie are opening a car park at Coonagh – €5 parking
  • Update: Shannon RFC will have limited secure parking in Thomand Park which is 10 min walk from the Gaelic Grounds. The bar in the clubhouse will be open for the day.

Here are the car park locations in Limerick in relation to the Gaelic Grounds (click on map to view full screen)

Limerick parking

Car parks near the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

 Other things to note:

  • Update: The Limerick Pride Parade takes place at 2pm on Saturday in the city and there will be rolling road closures along the route from 1.30pm. It’ll be a riot of colour and fun so if you’re in the city be sure to try and catch it.
  • Update: UL Graduation Ceremonies are also taking place over the weekend, so there is likely to be some extra traffic around the city there too.
  • Update: We have it on good authority that Corrib Oil in Gort are offering free tea/coffee for drivers with their Mayo colours on- another reason to festoon yourselves in green and red!
  • Update:  No need to worry about the road works between Ardrahan and Kilcolgan – Galway County Council have confirmed that the road will be fully open.
  • Update: Traffic notice from Limerick City Council: “Limerick City & County Council wish to advise Motorists, Road Users and Match Attendants (sic) that local  traffic and parking prohibitions and road closures will operate on the Ennis Road (R857) and adjacent to the Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road, Limerick from 2pm on Saturday 30th August 2014. Match attendants are strongly advised to travel early and to park on and off street in and adjacent to the city centre and to allow ample time to walk to the Gaelic Grounds. Special off street match parking tariffs including overnight parking will be available at city centre car parks. Match attendants are advised that obstructive vehicle parking will be subject to tow away operations.

Park & Ride In Limerick

park and rideThis is a facility run by Limerick Park and Ride (Mike Hynan Coaches) where you can leave your car at a hotel and get a shuttle bus to the Gaelic Grounds – handy if you don’t want the hassle of finding parking near the grounds. Parking is free at all three hotels, and seats on the buses are allocated on a first come, first served basis – so again, get there early, grab a bite to eat and hop on.

  •  For those of you coming from Mayo direction, the Radisson Hotel service on the Ennis Road will start at 2pm. Cost: €6 return.
  • For those coming from Dublin, the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel Dublin Rd. from 2pm, return straight after match. Cost: €6 return
  • And for those of you making the trip from the south,Woodlands House Hotel Adare leaves at 3pm, return straight after match. But beware, you’re likely to be outnumbered by the Yerras! Cost: €10 return.

Please Note: Wheelchair accessible transport must be pre-booked – you can call Hynan Coaches on  061 381700 or email them here.

Update: Durty Nelly’s Park and Ride

This sounds like something else altogether, but lest there be any doubt, it’s a pub, offering transport to the game! There will be buses leaving Durty Nelly’s Pub at Bunratty Castle from 2.30 to 3.30pm, dropping off at Ivan’s, close to the Gaelic Grounds, and pick-up at the designated area. Price: €15 return and this includes a main course (Burger & Chips, Fish & Chips or Cajun Chicken). No booking is required, and the meal can be claimed before or after the game. Tickets for the park and ride service on sale in Durty Nelly’s on the day.

Update: Park and Ride from the City Centre:

Bus Eireann are running shuttle buses from the Limerick Bus Station on Parnell St. and from Henry St (near Dunnes Stores). These will run from approx. 2pm.

Travelling by Bus?

Please note: There are lots of private operators departing on Saturday and offering good deals direct to Limerick. Mayo Club ’51 strongly advises that you contact the bus operators directly first to book and confirm times of departure.

From Mayo:

  • TMG Transport : Leaving The Gateway Swinford  Contact 094 9252156  or 087-8505045
  • Corduff Travel : travelling from Belmullet & Ballina. Contact 097-88949
  • Update: Treacy Coaches : Leaving Ballina at 12pm. Booking essential – Contact 096-22563 
  • Gillespie Coaches : Leaving Crossmolina 11am & stopping in Ballina. Contact 085-7646523
  • Malachy Gaughan Coaches : Leaving Belmullet. Contact 097 81243
  • Update: Lavan Coaches Kiltimagh – Buses departing from Post Office, Kiltimagh at 1pm and returning after the game. Booking essential – contact 086 867 6737 or 087 260 8852.
  • Update: Moran’s Coaches, Ballyhaunis – leaving the Square in Ballyhaunis at 11.45am, €15 return. Booking advised – call  094 9630346.
  • Update: Melletts Bus Swinford – Leaving Melletts pub Swinford at 11am sharp, booking advised, only 8 seats left – call 087 2573752.
  • Bus Eireann – best to give them a call about Expressway services, or check out their timetables online.

If you’re aware of any other operators going from Mayo, please get in touch with details and we’ll add them in.

From Dublin:

  • Dublin Coach – departs hourly from D’Olier St  from 06.45 daily, and returns hourly on the half hour from Limerick City Centre (Arthur’s Quay) until  for €20 return, but the last bus leaves at 20.45.
  • JJ Kavanagh Coaches – depart frequently from Dublin – but again, you won’t get the last bus on Saturday as it leaves at 17.15. Call 0818 333222 for details.

From Carrick-on-Shannon:

  • Bus leaving from Carrick-on-Shannon early on Saturday morning. Call Mary Keenan on 0872073633 for further details.

Travelling By Train?

Train transport down the west coast isn’t exactly the best, but there are options.. Don’t even attempt to go from Mayo by train, but from other places, it might be worth considering. Irish Rail are offering special fares on their website as follows:

  • From €5.99* each way from Galway, Oranmore and Athenry
  • From €9.99* each way from Banteer
  • From €10.99* each way from Milstreet and Rathmore
  • From €11.99* each way from Killarney
  • From €12.99* each way from Farranfore
  • From €13.99* each way from Tralee
  • From €14.99* each way from Dublin

UpdateExtra Train to the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final Replay in Limerick 

  • Depart Galway 12.15hrs
  • Oranmore: 12.24hrs
  • Athenry: 2.35hrs
  • Arr. Limerick      14.04hrs

Return train departs Limerick at 20.25hrs (8.25pm)

There is free parking in Oranmore Train Station for those who take the train (140 spaces). If any of you do decide to take the train, and manage to avail of the fares above, let us know!

Book on this page.

Travelling By Air?

Bringing your own plane? Hey, there’s always one! If you are planning on bringing your private jet, give these guys a call!

Staying Overnight?

We hate to break it to you, but you’ve left it a bit late to sort out your accommodation if you want to stay in Limerick on Saturday night. You’ll be doing well to find somewhere to lay your head at this point, especially as half of Croke Park had their beds booked from their smartphones before leaving the ground on Sunday, but other options worth considering are breaking the journey and stopping off in Ennis or Galway and making a night of it.

Gaelic Grounds seating plan (click on map to view full screen)

gaelic grounds limerick seating plan

Gaelic Grounds Seating Plan

Tickets

If you haven’t got a season ticket, or obtained one through your club, there are still some available online here, for collection at the Gaelic Grounds – but you’ll need to move quickly. If you’re looking to buy, sell, or swap, use our ticket swap forum on our website (you’ll need to register first). Alternatively, contact us on Twitter or Facebook and we’ll do our best to help you out,.

If there’s anything we haven’t included here, get in touch with us and we’ll add it in. If you have time, do try and get to see a bit of Limerick City, and we’d highly recommend the famous Milk Market on Mungret St. for a wander and a bite to eat before the game (it’s open from 8am – 3pm).

Getting Home

MAKE SURE YOU USE THE BATHROOM. We cannot emphasise this enough.

Heading back to Mayo, we’ve been told that the Cratloe road (past LIT) is a good rat run – at Cratloe you can get back onto the N18. Narrow road in parts, so please be careful.

Anything else?

Once again, don’t forget your colours – display them with pride. Warm up the voices to replicate the fierce support you gave the team last Sunday.

And for God’s sake don’t forget the tae and sangwidges.

And as always, Bring the Colour and Bring the Noise!

Let’s be real … we all want the same thing

Let’s be real … we all want the same thing

In the next of our series of guest posts, we’d like to welcome Shamrocks (yes, of course that’s his real name) to the hot seat to take us on a journey from past to present. For those of you who remember ’89, this will bring back some magic memories.

An unorthodox Mayo man of sorts, born in England and brought up in a rural north Wicklow village ’til I was 11 years of age, before moving to the homeland of Mayo. My father was a native of Achill Island, it was there we spent most of our holidays as kids. It was always Mayo from day one, it was part of who we were and the county team was where I identified my connection to the place that will always be home.

My first memory was the old Salthill in 1984, travelling down with my comrade and chauffeur, my father. This is where it all began , the adventure of the journey down west, the anticipation of seeing the flags out of the car windows and then to the climax of seeing the footballers of Mayo run onto the pitch. Unfortunately we lost out to Galway on that day. My memories of the game itself are not too clear, I was only 6/7 years of age I suppose, but it’s amazing how silly things remain in the head, like only knowing the name of Willie Joe 😀

The years went on and the same journey was taken. ’85 I got to see them lift the Nestor Cup in Hyde Park; that was special but again too young to really take it in . ’87 seems a lot clearer, a really low-scoring game against Galway in Castlebar, but another defeat.

1989 is where it really comes alive for me.

We as a family had moved down home at last, to a rural village in east Mayo, Kilmovee, where my grandmother came from on my mother’s side. The first game against Galway in Tuam. We never won there (at the time) so a draw was a mighty return and we easily did the business in Castlebar in the replay, McHale and Larry with the goals. Next it was the Rossies and another draw, the replay was epic and no Mayo supporter of my age or older will ever forget Jimmy Burke’s goal in extra time. Hyde park erupted into an explosion of green and red; it was just priceless. The semi v Tyrone was of course the first time a lot of Mayo supporters ever seen Mayo win in Croke park in senior championship including father/mother and daughter/son generation. I suppose it was a bit like what winning the All-Ireland would be like now. The weeks leading up to the final were indescribable in terms of excitement – all the towns were decked out, the songs were released. As a child, the memories are of sheer happiness, the crowds at Knock airport to see our heroes off, running after the team coach with my new school mates from Tavrane NS through the thousands of fans singing ‘Willie Joe, Willie Joe’’ – it is just something that will stay with me forever.

Willie-Joe-1989

What a journey we have had since. The losing of finals down the years is what everyone likes to throw at us and of course it has been disappointing but is there any Mayo supporter out there who would swap all those journeys we have had in 89/96/97/04/06/12/13 for some form of mediocrity  like the vast majority of counties experience ?

We are now in a phase where we have reached the last two finals and are about to contest our fourth semi-final on the trot. People are getting uptight about where we are at – have we still a chance or are we burnt out as a unit? There is a sense of supporters being divided on aspects of what should have happened in finals and other issues. The truth is nobody really knows, we can all guess but let’s be real, everyone has one thing in common  – we all want the same thing.

So let’s get behind our bucks the next day in Croke park against Kerry, and roar them on. We are favourites with the bookies to beat Kerry in an all Ireland semi-final. Don’t be frightened by it, embrace it. Horan, Buckley, Prendergast and the panel have earned the fucking right to be a top team, now let us act the same, and fill her up with green and red!

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