AS Mayo and Meath take to the field for tomorrow's All-Ireland Football Final, there will be a small but relieved cheer from the village of Tibnin, Lebanon.
It will come from the soldiers of the 79th Irish Battalion in Camp Shamrock, who will be watching the match live on television for the first time - if the combined efforts of their own technician and an engineer from the satellite operator, Setanta, are successful.
Usually, the soldiers listen to a radio broadcast of the final, via a telephone link with their own radio station. This year, the soldiers hope to have live television pictures and a dramatically reduced telephone bill.
"We intend trying to make an occasion of it," said Capt Noel Shannon of the 79th. "There's a lot of excitement about the whole concept of having the match live."
Technology permitting, the UN soldiers will be part of a massive global audience from over 150 countries watching the two sides meet for the first time since 1951.
That year, 78,000 people passed through the turnstiles at Croke Park, earning the GAA a grand total of £9,000. This year, 68.000 spectators will bring in around £1,400,000.
A strong Mayo contingent was evident in the capital last night. The Gresham Hotel in O'Connell Street was full while Jurys Hotel in Ballsbridge had been booked out for a number of weeks.
According to Mr Danny Lynch, spokesman for the GAA, demand for tickets has been huge. Black-market prices were running at up to £70 for a £10 ticket and up to £200 for £25 and £30 stand tickets.
Iarnrod Eireann will be running special trains to take fans to the game. For the first time in five years a train will leave from Navan station, at 10.30 p.m. with tickets available at outlets throughout the town. Four trains are scheduled to bring supporters from Mayo on Sunday morning.
Mr Barry Kenny, a spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann, said the Mayo team would be returning home by rail on Monday, "win lose or draw". Gardai repeated their usual advice to motorists to avoid the Croke Park area, to be careful where they park and not to leave their belongings in their cars.
Clonliffe College will be providing parking facilities for £3 per car and the entrance will be signposted on Drumcondra Road,