Aussie footballers set to cause Croker disruption

The first leg of an International Rules series between Ireland and Australia in Croke Park on Sunday looks to provide the only…

The first leg of an International Rules series between Ireland and Australia in Croke Park on Sunday looks to provide the only major disruption to traffic in the capital this weekend.

A large crowd is expected to watch Ireland try to avoid falling to the Aussies for a third-straight series. The test match begins at 2 p.m. Look to be assured by a number of people who are not going that it will be worth watching.

Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan will provide a more mellow setting that evening at Dublin's Point Theatre to promote her recent album, Afterglow.

Gridlock before and after the show is not expected to mar what will surely be an hour or so of uninterrupted, inoffensive serenity. Fans would be well served not to wear fur and men should be "sensitive".

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Two Celtic League rugby matches should mildly frustrate the flow of traffic in Galway and Limerick on Saturday. Connacht plays Edinburgh at Sportsgrounds (2.30 p.m.) and Munster take on Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park (5.15 p.m.)

Usual delays caused by the refurbishment of Busáras can be expected.

The Limerick Junction to Waterford rail line reopened today after being closed for nearly a year following damage to the Cahir Viaduct.

Ireland will once again avoid any major, global upheavals in weather, as it is likely to be alternatively sunny and showery throughout the weekend. However, there is a strong possibility of persistent, soul-annihilating drizzle in the north and northeast. You can probably throw away your sunglasses, unless you think they make you look cool.

Temperatures will be cool to cold, hitting night-time lows of two degrees in some areas of the country, and smokers in pubs will no doubt wish they had kicked the habit in the summer. Non-smokers are politely asked not to say: "I told you so."