Huge party at Phoenix Park for the team tomorrow

Tens of thousands of people are expected to congregate in the Phoenix Park tomorrow evening to welcome the Irish soccer team home, following the heroic performance against Spain.

Last night, public figures, led by the President, Mrs McAleese, paid tribute to the efforts of the team over the last four weeks in Japan and South Korea.

Forty officials from Dúchas, Dublin Bus, the Garda Síochána and Dublin Corporation gathered within minutes of the defeat to plan the welcome home.

Pleading with fans not to gather at Dublin Airport, organisers last night emphasised that Mick McCarthy and the squad would be taken by helicopter to the Phoenix Park immediately after they arrive back at 7.45. p.m.

"This will be a free event celebrating both the Irish squad's achievement and its fantastic fans.

"All are welcome. Get there early and bring your flags, hats and kids for an experience to be remembered," organisers said.

Fans will not be able to gain access by car. Instead, Dublin Bus will operate a shuttle service from George's Quay to the set-down point near the Phoenix Monument.

The park will be closed to all traffic from noon tomorrow until 3 a.m. on Wednesday. Gates will open at 4 p.m. while the homecoming party itself will kick off from 6 p.m.

Dublin Bus will charge adults €1 each way, while children will pay 50 cents each way. Pedestrians will be able to enter through all gates.

Unlike other chapters in the World Cup odyssey, supporters have been warned not to bring alcohol to the event, which will be kicked off by a live concert: "It will be confiscated," warned gardaí.

Sharing the disappointment of the population, the President, Mrs McAleese issued "a message of thanks and congratulations" to the team as they head homewards.

"You are coming home to a nation which is proud of you and thankful to you for the great experience you have given us all over the last four weeks. For a small nation, to reach the last 16 in this global tournament is a great achievement."

Paying a special tribute to "The Green Army", the President said: "As always, the fans have done us proud and have themselves given a wonderful performance of good humour and lively support."

The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, paid tribute to the team's World Cup performance. "It was a huge performance and for the young people of the country it has been very special. They are very proud and it will live with them for the rest of their lives. It has been good for the country, good for morale," he said.

Mr Ahern came to believe during the game that Ireland could overcome the Spanish favourites: "I said before the game that I would have settled for a good performance, but as time went on in the game it was touch and go as we played better and better."

Sharing the "heartache" of defeat "in such a cruel fashion", another keen sporting fan, the newly elected Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said he was "immensely proud" of the team and the fans.

"We deserved so much more from the match having played Spain off the park for most of the 120 minutes, but that's football. We have many young players - like Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Steve Finnan - who have put in world-class performances at the highest level and who will form the backbone of the Irish soccer team for the next decade.

" The team has given us a wonderful roller-coaster ride of football over the last couple of weeks and never knew when they were beaten," Mr Kenny said.