2015 All Ireland Semi-Final – Mayo v Dublin

2015 All Ireland Semi-Final – Mayo v Dublin

Your essential match weekend guide!

On a week like this, it has been hard to turn our thoughts to the game ahead, and for the remainder of the week and beyond they will undoubtedly remain with the family and friends of the late Darragh Doherty.

But this is a massive occasion for our county and on Sunday, more than ever, this Mayo team will be looking to do him and themselves proud as we face into an All-Ireland semi-final for the fifth year running.  Truly these are glory days for and this Sunday versus the mighty Dubs, while it will undoubtedly be laced with poignancy has the potential to be the biggest and loudest day we have ever witnessed in Croke Park to date.

 

Mayo GAA crest

   Vs   Dublin GAA crest

If there was ever a day to stand up and be counted as supporters, this is it.

If there was ever a day to empty your lungs in support of our boys, THIS IS IT.

It’s time for us to play our part once again. The Dubs are loud; and in all likelihood, we will be outnumbered. We need to work harder. Let no silence fall during this game. If we lead, we cheer. If we fall behind, we cheer louder. Be the best Mayo supporters we can be. Bring the colour, and bring the noise. It’s time to be the 16th man.

Mayo fans celebrate 25/8/2013

Being The 16th (And 17th) Man

As is now customary, here is our usual round-up of info on how to get there. We noticed that the sound people in the Western People have taken a leaf from our book this week and done their own essential matchday guide and we are very flattered altogether but we’ve a bit more info below that might be useful. If you have any other info you think people should know, get in touch.

Getting there

Driving

As we always say, leave on time … leave yourself plenty of time for the breakfast in Rathowen!

  • The Longford Marathon takes place in Longford (unsurprisingly), on Sunday, and Main Street in Longford will remain closed from 10-4pm. The N4/N5 bypass will remain open, but with potentially heavier volumes of traffic.
  • Don’t forget your change for the toll bridge. When nerves are fraught it may just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Many a marriage has run into difficulty under the e-toll sign in Enfield. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
  • Don’t forget either to stop into Feerick’s in Rathowen for a hearty breakfast. In what is now a match day tradition Mid West Radio will be broadcasting on the morning of the game.

 Parking

  • Mater Car Park: Sunday’s special offer is available at the Mater Car Park; the closest official car park to the stadium, with all day parking available for only €10 and it can be booked online here. Fans are advised to book early for this weekend to avoid disappointment.
  • Q-Park: Park for up to 24 hours on match-day in Q-Park Clerys for only €8. Or park in Q-Park Usher’s Quay for €4 upon presentation of a match day ticket.  The Match-Day offer is for GAA matches only and does not cover concerts or other events in Croke Park.
  • Park Rite: All day parking on event days is available at Park Rite locations across the city centre for €5 for match day patrons upon production of your match ticket. Locations and pre-booking here.
  • Clonliffe College: The Clonliffe College car park is situated 5 minutes from Croke Park Stadium. Parking is available for just €10 on match days. The car park has 2000 spaces, including 100 disabled spaces and is accessible via Drumcondra Road Lower.
Mayo car green and red ford fiesta

If this is your car, leave early. Like, now.

Buses

treacy's coaches

 

Here are some bus companies that will be travelling to the match on Sunday. If you know of any more, please let us know and we will add them in here. Call to book your seat in advance if you haven’t already, we don’t want to see any of you lot thumbing up the N5.

 

 

  • Gillespie Coaches 087 2441440 Crossmolina > Ballina > Foxford > Swinford.
  • Barrett Coaches 097 83544 Belmullet > Bangor Erris 8am > Crossmolina 8.25am > Ballina 8.40am > Foxford 8.50am.
  • Michael Moran Bus Hire 087 2330097 Westport > Castlebar.
  • Fred Queenan Bus Hire 086 8656449
  • Treacy Coaches Bus Hire Ballina  096 22563
  • Lavin Coaches Kiltimagh 086 8676737
  • Michael Griffin Bus Hire 094 9252156 Swnford Leaving the Gateway Hotel @8am

Trains

Mayo supporters train to Mayo matchIrish Rail have announced extra services to Dublin to cover the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final on Sunday 30th August. There will be three extra trains with one departing from Ballina and the other two from Westport. Booking on www.irishrail.ie is essential to secure your train ticket.

The following additional services have been added to accommodate supporters travelling to/from the match:

 

  • 08:25hrs Wesport – Dublin
  • 08:45hrs Wesport – Dublin
  • 09:05hrs Ballina – Dublin
  • 18:20hrs Dublin – Westport
  • 19:10hrs Dublin – Ballina
  • 19:20hrs Dublin – Westport

To book these services please click on this link, but do so soon as they are expected to sell out.

For extra matchday fun, when you reserve your seat you can opt to have your name displayed overhead. We wonder how many Willie Joe Paddens will be travelling this weekend …

Reserved seating Irish rail "not your seat"

Best use of the reserved seating function we’ve seen yet

train-7-630x472

Just pray this name doesn’t appear beside yours

Other Stuff

Tickets

Ticket demand for the semi final match between Mayo and Dublin are at All-Ireland final levels! Anyone with a season tickets that was lucky enough to avail of the offer to buy 4 extra “bring a friend” tickets on their account were very lucky as this offer sold out in less than 24 hours! Tickets on ticketmaster and from Supervalu also sold out within days. All the clubs in Mayo will be struggling to cater for all the tickets requested and will only be able to issue about 80% of tickets ordered. Hopefully there will be more allocated to clubs later in the week in the second allocation.

Anyone without tickets on the day of the match could try the Croke Park ticket offices. One is located on Dorset Street upper and another is located on the North Circular Road opposite Gills Pub. Otherwise, if you do find yourself with a spare ticket and no takers (a highly unlikely scenario!) you could give us a shout as we have been inundated with messages looking for tickets.

Pre Match Meet-Up

Traditonally, Willie Joe over on Mayo GAA Blog organises the now-customary pre-semi Saturday night meet-up in Bowes pub on Fleet Street. As a mark of respect, however, given the week that’s in it, it will not be going ahead this year. Here’s hoping we have a pre-final meetup to look forward to instead, however.

On the day, because of the crowd volumes, it’s unlikely that there will be access to our usual haunt in the Croke Park Hotel for ticket-holders other than those who are in the Hogan Stand, so there will be no Club ’51 pre-match meet-up on the day.

Social Stuff 

  • Everleigh Garden on Harcourt Street (who once famously refused entry to Aidan O’Shea – sorry lads, too funny not bring up) are offering free entry with a Mayo jersey this weekend and also have competitions galore over on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
  • DTwo nightclub, also on Harcourt St are offering free entry with county colours before midnight and are having a pre-match party on Saturday night featuring Wesht of Ireland “gyp-hop”band The Latchikos (they’re class). Mention to Steven on the night that you’re part of Club ’51 and he says he’ll look after you (whatever that means – we reckon it definitely means a few free pints. Right Steven?)
  • If you don’t want a sore head for Sunday Willie Joe over on Mayo GAA blog has details of two great sporting events, one on each side of the river in this post.

Season Ticket Holders Lounge

The season ticket holders lounge is a new initiative from Croke Park for season ticket holders. You can pre-purchase dinner vouchers through the “Special Purchases” section in your season ticket account. You have until midday today (Wednesday 26th August) to avail of the offer. The adult menu costs €15 and U-16 menu costs €10.

“We are continuing our new offering for Season Tickets Holders for this All Ireland Football Championship Semi Finals in the form of a Season Ticket Lounge at Section 401. This is an area with tables exclusively reserved for Season Ticket holders who avail of this Special Purchase option. Service time is from when stiles open until the start of the second match.”

season ticket 401 carvery ticket

Match previews

    • For those of you at home on Sunday, the Sky Sports panel preview the All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Dublin and Mayo live on Sky Sports 3 on Sunday 30th August at 3.30pm: Mayo v Dublin preview
    • The Mayo News have their usual pre-match podcast online, featuring Sports Editor Mike Finnerty, Mayo ladies footballer Fiona McHale, and Castlebar Mitchels manager Declan O’Reilly with host Rob Murphy.
    • MidWest Radio will have their traditional pre-match preview show on Thursday night from 10pm.
    • And Off The Ball have an interview with Pearce Hanley on life down under:

Can’t make the game? No problem! 

Mayo Movie World in Moneen, Castlebar are showing the match for free in HD – drop into the cinema to book your ticket.

Mayo Movie world are showing the 2015 All-Ireland Semi-final

Replay Details (!!)

If (god forbid!) the game ends in stalemate and there is a replay, this will be held in Croke Park (yes, in Croke Park) on the evening of Saturday 5th September.

#13forNo13

You will probably have seen this online already, but if not, former Mayo great David Brady has suggested that Mayo supporters in Croke Park on Sunday pay tribute to the late Darragh Doherty, who wore the no.13 jersey, by way of a massive round of applause in the 13th minute of the game. The idea has been widely shared and supported and in a reminder that  solidarity transcends sporting rivalry within the GAA family, most of the Dublin  supporters’ groups have also come on board to lend their support to the initiative.

Darragh Doherty Mayo GAA

Please share and spread the word to all Mayo supporters who may not be online, and let us raise the roof for our fallen brother.

 Bring the Noise …

What more can we say? Bring your flags, (even one flag per car makes a MASSIVE difference) your voices, your hearts and souls and let’s bring that infamous Mayo Roar back to Croke Park. This is it!

Maigh Eo Abú!

Mayo v Dublin All Ireland Semi Final 2015 Match Programe

mayo v dublin all ireland semi final 2015 match programme

 

Elvery’s Pre Match Promotional Advertisment

Here’s the advertisment from Elvery’s the week before the match which Mayo Club 51 took part in filming. #SpineTingling

Back on track to Croker

Back on track to Croker

As the countdown to the All-Ireland quarter final (against God only knows who) gets underway, it’s probably time to start making a few plans for getting there. With that in mind, here’s some early info on transport for Mayo supporters to Croke Park.

Bearing in mind that we are playing twice in Croke Park on 8th August (our Junior team takes on Kerry in the All-Ireland Final at 2pm and our seniors play in the quarter-final at 6pm), it’s expected that as usual, a large contingent will be making the journey from the West.

Juniors

Credit: Mayo GAA Facebook Page

We’ll be compiling a list of transport options and updating it over the coming days so if you know anyone who is running a private coach on the day please contact us with details or leave a comment underneath, and we’ll add it in.

Train: 

Irish Rail are running trains from Ballina and Westport at times that work well for the games: – see all relevant information here:

https://www.irishrail.ie/fares-and-tickets/allirelandfootball

Book online to guarantee cheapest fares (and your seat). Best train times to get you there for the Junior game are as follows:

  • Depart Ballina: 09:35 | Depart Westport: 09:45  ———- Arrive Dublin (Heuston): 13:05

Additional services have been added as follows:

  • 11:15hrs Westport – Dublin
  • 11:25hrs Ballina – Dublin
  • 11:50hrs Sligo – Dublin
  • 20:15hrs Dublin – Sligo
  • 20:50hrs Westport – Dublin
  • 21:10hrs Ballina – Dublin
  • 21:30hrs Westport – Dublin

maxresdefault

Note: There are no family tickets available on match day trains according to Irish Rail:

Buses

  • BALLINROBE: Kieran Biggins is providing a ticket plus transport deal, with the bus leaving Ballinrobe at 1.00pm sharp. The cost of the bus and entry ticket to Croke Park to the match is €35.Anyone interested who wishes to reserve a place should contact Kieran on 087 2705050 to book their place, early bookings are advisable. (Thanks to Ballinrobe GAA)
  • BALLINA: Treacy Coaches are  running a bus to Dublin on the 8th, departing Ballina at 12 noon. To book, email treacycoaches@eircom.net or phone 096 22563. Depending on preferences, i.e. whether people want to see the Junior Final (which we hope they will!) they may run a coach at 9.30am to cater for them, so if you are interested please get in touch with them as soon as possible.
  • Crossmolina: Call Gillespie Coaches on 085 7646523 for details.

Coaches

If there are any other planned buses please let us know and we will post them here.

Parking

Parking around Croke Park on Saturday is harder to get than parking on Sundays – for one, on-street parking is a bit of a risk due to clampers. Details on car parks near Croke Park can be found here.

Mayo GAA has posted the following information on its website about Euro Car Parks’ €7 match day parking offer. Saturday’s special offer is available at the Mater Car Park; the closest official car park to the stadium, with all day parking available for only €7 and it can be booked online here. Fans are advised to book early for this weekend to avoid disappointment. UPDATE: This is now fully booked out (Friday evening) 

Traffic

Luas Cross-city works are ongoing in the city centre; all information is here. Main thing to note is that if you’re travelling on Friday that you can’t use College Green between 7am and 7pm. Just leave yourself plenty of time if you are travelling across the city and you will be fine.

Sunday: If you’re staying overnight in Dublin, be aware that the Ironman 70.3 is happening in Dublin on Sunday 9th and there will be rolling road closures throughout the city to facilitate all those mad fit people running and cycling and swimming around the place. All details can be found on their website here.

Other stuff

Podcast: Check out the Mayo News Quarter-final preview podcast – always well worth a listen before (and after) a big game – link embedded below.

Discussion: Vote in the poll over on mayogaablog.com on whether we’ll do the biz, and get involved in the usual debate on the big game.

Wavelength Video Launch:  Local band Wavelength after their recent video recording sessions around the county are releasing their “Seven Mayo Finals” song & video in the Upper Deck, Crossmolina tonight (Thursday) at 9:30pm. All proceeds to Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

On the day:  

Get your message on the big screen in Croke Park.

The GAA are providing the usual entertainment features including the half time interval act. Because Croke Park will be full of culchies Marty Mone will be performing his massive hit single ‘Hit the Diff’ at half time during the Monaghan and Tyrone game. (No, we don’t know what it means either but the Farmer’s Journal has kindly provided a glossary of terms for the less tractor literate among us.)

So here we are for 5 years running – in an All-Ireland Quarter Final. But this time we have an added bonus – our juniors are contesting for All-Ireland glory against Kerry at 2pm. Any day your county plays an All-Ireland Final in Croke Park is special, so make sure you come early and bring your colour and your voiceboxes. You’ll have plenty of time during the Monaghan-Tyrone game to relax them for the senior lads.

Best of luck to our two squads and safe travels to everybody making their way to Croke Park!

Season Tickets – Free Entry To Club Finals

Season Tickets – Free Entry To Club Finals

mayo gaa season tickets

Season Tickets

As you probably already know, being a season ticket holder has many advantages. It allows you free entry into any league match (code-specific). Season tickets also allow you free entry into the All-Ireland Club Finals between Corofin from Co. Galway and Slaughtneil from Co Derry on St. Patrick’s Day, (throw in is now 4pm). Corofin are managed by Mayo & Crossmolina’s own Stephen Rochford. We know that any Mayo vs Galway tie is sometimes the be all and end all between rivals, but on this occasion we hope all Mayo folk will give our Galway neighbours, and Connacht representatives, their support on St Patrick’s Day.

Mayo Club 51 are putting the call out to all season ticket holders if you are not using your tickets for the final, to help out Corofin supporters. First of all you will need to log-in to your season ticket account and go to “Special Purchases” to request your (free) tickets. You can e-mail tickets directly to the Corofin P.R.O. John Fahey,  pro.corofin.galway [at] gaa.ie.

season ticket-special purchases

Season Tickets Account Home Screen.

You can order tickets up to the amount on your account. If you have 2 Adult and 3 Juvenile, then you can order 5 tickets. You can also change your Juvenile season tickets  to Adult tickets (for special purchases only). Sections available are Cusack Stand Lower Tier – section 302 ( 302 only was available when I purchased my free tickets).

special purchase

special purchase

When purchased your tickets will be available in your “My Tickets” section in your account. You will not need to print your tickets, you can save and download them to your desktop.

save or print season tickets

Save or print season tickets.

Once you save and download your  free tickets for the Club Finals on St Patrick’s Day in Croke Park, its then only a matter of attaching them in an e-mail to send to someone. All they need to do then is just print them out. If you can’t attend the match then do make use of your free season tickets and send them on to someone that will make use of them!

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!

Forget getting in “early”. Get in on time!

Forget getting in “early”. Get in on time!

And here we all are again! This truly is a great time to be a Mayo supporter. The buzz in the lead-up to these games is something only a handful of counties can enjoy and we’ve had this for 4 years running now.

Hopefully your plans have all been made. If not, take a look at MayoMick’s post on alternative travel options now that the trains aren’t running. But whatever your plans, do your best to get into Croke Park on time for the All-Ireland Minor semi-final between our lads and Kerry. Remember, these lads have put in a serious shift so far this year with wins in Tuam against Galway, against Ross in the Connacht Final and a comprehensive victory in Croke Park v Armagh. These lads are in peak physical condition, something that’s hard at the best of times, but many of these lads juggled their training with exams. Not only that, but this team are a joy to watch. They play lovely football, but are well able to dig deep when it’s needed. So, get in on time (not early!) and roar these lads on to another All-Ireland final.

In other news, the senior 15 has been named for Sunday and, as always, this is followed by our now ritual “rallying call”. Bring your kit, bring your flags, bring your drums, bring your fog horns. Bring it all and make more noise than you’ve ever made before! After the anthem, we want the lads to know that we are there with them every single step of the way. If someone starts a chant beside you, join in,don’t leave them hanging. We’re all in this together! This group of players and management have reached levels of intensity and performance that we have seldom seen before in this country, let alone this county.

They have done their bit. Now let’s do ours.

HoranFans

Photo: TheScore.ie
 

Safe travels!

MayoMark

 

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