All roads and routes lead to Paris for Cup fans

On the beaches, on the landing grounds and on the streets, the Irish football team's estimated army of 30,000 supporters has started descending on Paris ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier match against France.

Major airlines yesterday reported that tickets for flights to Paris over the next two days were sold out, while ferry companies have also recorded a surge in passenger numbers.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has distributed almost 20,000 tickets to fans, while thousands of other Irish supporters are thought to have bought tickets from the French football federation's website.

With most routes to Paris booked out, many are also heading to London and elsewhere in Europe and making the journey from there.

"All our package deals have been booked out, so people are heading from all angles and in every possible contraption, whether it's the train, boat or plane," said Ms Catriona Coleman, manager of Ray Treacy Travel.

While Paris is used to throngs of Irish supporters for rugby matches, the city's 70 Irish pubs are stocking up for an even busier weekend.

"It's 90 per cent Irish here already," said Mr Barry Lindsay, the bar manager, from a noisy Kitty O'Shea's on Rue des Capucines. "We've stocked up the cellars, we're cordoning off the streets for the match and have 12 bar staff for the next few days."

French interest in the national side has waned in the wake of some poor performances. However, all indications are that Saturday evening's match will be a sell-out.

Three-day package deals, which include a match ticket, hotel accommodation and transfers, are in the region of €700 to €800. Fans started to arrive yesterday, while the majority will begin to arrive today and tomorrow.