[02-05-2009] Munster v Leinster, Croke Park

[Thomas Ralph]

Nothing from IÉ yet on this; the only train that anyone heading south would make after the match is the 2100 Heuston-Cork, and it's already booked out in standard class.

[Thomas J Stamp]

they are getting very good with the specials so i'd imagine there will be trains a plenty

(avoids usual "sure 80,000 will come form Munster anyway and only two dozen form Ladyboy Provence to watch another unmerciless trashing" post.... almost)

[Mark Hennessy]

(avoids usual "sure 80,000 will come form Munster anyway and only two dozen form Ladyboy Provence to watch another unmerciless trashing" post.... almost)

Not related to the train travel but with the ticket botches that have been reported, it looks like it will be that way ;)

[Thomas Ralph]

By now everything from 1900 on has been booked out. There must be something else on.

And yes, my tickets for the match come from the Leinster allocation, which Munster fans have been steadily depleting since it went on sale on Monday. I'd expect 50K+ red fans.

[Mark Gleeson]

Additional train services for Munster v Leinster rugby by Corporate Communications

Friday 17th April

Iarnród Éireann advises rugby supporters that we are in the process of arranging a number of additional services from Cork and Limerick to Dublin and back for the Heineken Cup semi final in Croke Park on Saturday 2nd May.

It is expected that these services will be available for booking at www.irishrail.ie early next week.

I'd say we are looking at
Extra train from Limerick 10:25
Extra train to Limerick 21:25
Extra train to Cork 21:35

[Mark]

Just for the record, kick off is at 17:30. No chance of the specials from Drumcondra then? ;)

Seems like the only advantage the train has over roads nowaways is that you can have a few pints.

[Mark Gleeson]

Please note child tickets are valid for children under sixteen years of age. Proof of age may be required.

No alcohol or glass bottles will be allowed on the special trains.

Student travel cards and other discount cards including Dept of Social and Family passes are not valid on special trains.

Tickets to Special Trains are Non Refundable.

Passengers collecting tickets at Arklow please note that your tickets will not be ready for collection until Friday afternoon.

For our regular scheduled services, please click here.


Heineken Cup Semi Final Special
Saturday 2nd May
Departing Limerick 10:30 Dublin Heuston 12:40 Saturday 2nd May-2009
Returning Dublin Heuston 21:35 Limerick


http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/special_services.asp

Irish Rail seem to be very confused as usual you need to fish aroun

Extra trains to Cork are at 21:15 and 21:40
Extra train from Cork to Dublin is at 9:45

Extra trains to Limerick are 21:20 and 21:35
Extra trains from Limerick to Dublin are 9:35 and 10:30

An extra 1600 or so seats

[Thomas Ralph]

The 2000 to Cork is also deferred to 2015.

[Thomas Ralph]

It would appear that one of the extra Cork services is at the expense of the 1900 Heuston-Cork, which is cancelled, although it usually doesn't run on the Saturday of a bank holiday weekend anyway.

[Mark Gleeson]

18:30 to Tralee is deferred to 19:00

19:00 to Cork runs at 20:15

20:00 runs as the 21:00

21:00 runs at 21:15

Extra is the 21:40

Looks like a lot of effort on paper but only one extra train

[cullenswood]

Iarnrod Eireann always put extra trains on the Limerick, Cork and Galway lines. They never put extra services on the Sligo line or even as far as Mullingar/Longford....is there any reason for this or would they have any plans to do so in the future. It would be perfect as Drumcondra is so close to Croke Park

[Thomas Ralph]

I'm not sure there's all that many fans travelling into the match on the Sligo line...

[sublimity]

What about Leinster supporters from Wicklow & Wexford? Surely they could manage to put an extra train on a saturday. I'm sure the demand would be there.

[Thomas Ralph]

That's a reasonable point. At least you have the all-night bus, although that doesn't excuse the lack of alternatives.

[ThomasJ]

Iarnrod Eireann always put extra trains on the Limerick, Cork and Galway lines. They never put extra services on the Sligo line or even as far as Mullingar/Longford....is there any reason for this or would they have any plans to do so in the future. It would be perfect as Drumcondra is so close to Croke Park

Do we know if there are any extra maynooth services are being put on

They normally are but often they tend not to publicise it over the net

[ThomasJ]

From the May day travel pdf online
http://www.irishrail.ie/images/upload/news/235.pdf PAGE 4



Saturday 2nd May, 2009

Due to the Leinster v Munster Rugby match at Croke Park, a number of alterations to regular services will take place on Saturday evening:

• 17.05 Heuston/Limerick is cancelled. Limerick & Ennis passengers travel per 17.00 Heuston/Cork and change at Limerick Junction.
• 18.30 Heuston/Tralee & 19.00 Heuston/Cork will be a combined service departing Heuston at 19.00 (Cork Passengers must change at Mallow).
• 20.00 Heuston/Cork is deferred to 20.15 (this train will not serve Kildare).
• 20.05 Heuston/Kildare is advanced to 20.00.

The following specials will operate in conjunction with this match:
• 09.45 Cork/Heuston serving Mallow, Charleville, Limerick Junction, Thurles and Heuston.
• 21.15 Heuston/Cork serving Limerick Junction, Charleville, Mallow and Cork.
• 21.30 Heuston/Cork serving Limerick Junction, Charleville, Mallow and Cork.
• 21.40 Heuston/Cork serving Limerick Junction, Charleville, Mallow and Cork.
• 09.35 Limerick/Heuston non stop to Heuston.
• 10.30 Limerick/Heuston non stop to Heuston.
• 21.20 Heuston/Limerick serving Thurles and Limerick.
• 21.35 Heuston/Limerick non stop to Limerick.
• 22.15 Heuston/Portlaoise serving Newbridge, Kildare, Portarlington and Portlaoise.

Additional services will also operate to/from Maynooth before and after the game.

Due to expected heavy demand for train services to Dublin on Saturday 2nd May customers are advised that they must book in advance to ensure access to trains. It is expected that a number of train services from Limerick and Cork will be sold out in advance of Sat 2nd May.

Customers are advised to check availability before travelling.

[cullenswood]

I'm not sure there's all that many fans travelling into the match on the Sligo line...

Not for this game maybe but for Ireland games (both Rugby and Soccer) there are never any trains scheduled beyond Maynooth, that is what I was wondering about

[ThomasJ]

Well if like the evening train to portlaoise if your local representatives hadnt made a complete hash of things and had a monday to friday 9:00pm service ie would have run it that saturday night.

People need to Get this needed service back on the agenda.there is not even a late night bus service that way. people need to Contact local tds and irish rail to push this.

[Thomas Ralph]

There's a further Heuston-Cork special after being added at 2130, but it has already sold out.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=300 Heineken Cup Semi Final Sat 2nd May 2009 by Corporate Communications

Iarnrod Eireann advises customers that on Saturday 2nd May the following trains are booked out:

Cork to Heuston

07.30, 09.30, 10.30, 11.30 and 12.30.

Special trains at 09.45 and 11.00 booked out.

Tralee to Heuston.

07.15 Tralee to Heuston booked out.

Limerick to Heuston - Limited availability on the 07.35 and 12.35 Limerick to Heuston services.

Special trains at 09.35 and 10.30 are booked out.

Heuston to Cork.

20.00 and 21.00 booked out.

Special trains at 21.15 and 21.50 are booked out.

Limited availability on the 21.40 Heuston to Cork service.

Heuston to Limerick.

Special trains at 21.20, 21.35 and 21.45 are booked out.


Sunday 2nd May

The following trains are expected to be sold out before the weekend.

12.00, 13.00 and 14.00 hrs services Heuston to Cork.

Leinster fans - Special €10 day return fares available. Please click here for more information. http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=454

[Mark Hennessy]

I hear the Munster team are getting the train up tomorrow.

I hope they dont get lost on the way ;)

[Mark Gleeson]

Our friends in Irish Rail made a fine mess of getting Munster home

I've now got reports of delays of up to 1 hour on services arriving into Cork after the match

[Brian Condron]

Surely most of the Munster fans had left before the game was over so it didn't effect them.