Ulster marches on Dublin for big match celebration

The scrums of Ulster could be observed even before they had marched beyond the station door.

As the 2.40 p.m. Belfast to Dublin train pulled in at platform 2 in Connolly Station yesterday a burly team of media hacks was waiting to tackle the alighting rugby fans.

"We're going to win," declared a robust Stephen Martin, from Kircubbin, Co Down. "Dublin is lovely, great crack. Oh aye, and we're all looking forward to it," he said, smiling towards his friends, who were waiting for him. "Everyone in Ulster is looking forward to it."

Seamus O'Connell, from Co Antrim, who was travelling alone, said that he had not been a club rugby fan until now. He had always been an Ireland fan, but he had never experienced the level of excitement which followed the Ulster team's victory in the semi-final. After all the hype, it was "super" to finally be in Dublin.

Hotels around Dublin are reporting brisk business with the mass influx of Ulstermen and women.

A spokeswoman for Jurys Hotel in Ballsbridge told The Irish Times that they expected the majority of their Northern guests to arrive today.

More than 30,000 rugby fans - many showing their first interest in the game - have arrived in Dublin from the North to watch their team take on the French side Colomiers. Some 28,000 of them have tickets, as do 4,000 visiting French fans.

Among the 50,000 Ulster folk who applied for tickets was Dean McDowell, from Lurgan. He was successful and was delighted his 21st birthday coincided with the final. "It's a great omen," cheered the Lurgan lad, who travelled to Dublin with seven friends. "We're starting the celebrating tonight. Our plans? Guinness!"

"Obviously, we plan to win and bring the cup back to Belfast, and that's what we're looking forward to doing," said Michael Reid, chief executive of the Ulster branch of the IRFU. If Ulster wins, Belfast City Council will be putting on an official reception for the team in front of the City Hall at 1.30 tomorrow afternoon.

Last night, the British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, sent a good luck message to the Ulster team.

In a hand-written note sent from his hotel in Vienna to captain David Humphreys, Mr Blair said: "Dear David, what an amazing job to get into the final. Well done - the whole country is behind you! Best wishes and good luck to all the players."