Expensive flights and accommodation are all disregarded as Leinster optimism reigns, writes RONAN MCGREEVY
THERE MAY have been heavy rain and leaden skies above, but the Leinster fans leaving Dublin airport yesterday for the Heineken Cup final in Edinburgh were dreaming of a blue heaven.
Some 16 direct flights departed and a further 28 are scheduled to go this morning.
Thousands more flew to airports as far away as Birmingham and Manchester to get around the high cost and shortage of direct flights to Scotland.
It was a family affair for the O’Neills from Edenderry in Co Offaly who travelled en-masse to Edinburgh yesterday afternoon. Brothers Martin, David and Brendan were accompanied by four of their children.
“Without spending money it is costing me €2,200 for flights and accommodation,” said Martin who is bringing his three sons Donal (18), Martin jnr (13) and Sam (10).
“You cut your cloth. I dont drink or smoke and the kids save up themselves. We booked this last October. We were going anyway. It’s the atmosphere.”
Publican Niall Lawless, who is travelling with a 50-strong stag party, has benefited more than most from Leinster’s incredible season.
He owns Paddy Cullen’s and Mary Mac’s beside each other in Ballsbridge and he gets a lot of business from the RDS, Leinster’s temporary home.
‘‘I’m not trying to get ahead of ourselves, but there should be a good day in the RDS on Sunday if we win. They’re expecting 20,000 fans,’’ he said hopefully, while expressing a fear that Leinster might have peaked for the semi-final against Munster.
There was a distinct mood of sporting ecumenism around Dublin airport yesterday. Many Leinster fans had gone to Cardiff for last year’s Heineken Cup final and Munster fans were returning the compliment.
Quite a few Munster fans had been presumptuous enough to book their flights to Edinburgh when the venue was announced for the 2009 Heineken Cup Final, and decided to bury any animosity towards Leinster with their own team’s crushing defeat in the Croke Park semi-final.
Tipperary man Paul Maher and three of his friends were among proud Munster fans prepared to temporarily transfer their allegiance for the weekend.
“There was no question of us not going. There is a certain rivalry but a few weeks ago we were shouting for an Irish team with Irish players. We mightn’t wear the colours, but we’ll be shouting for Leinster anyway,” he said.
Leinster season-ticket holder Joe McCarthy and his wife Mary O’Hanlon opted to fly to Manchester and hire a car rather than pay the €600 going rate for a flight to Edinburgh for the final.
That involved a three-hour drive to his hotel which, in itself, is an hour’s drive away from Edinburgh – reasonably priced accommodation also being in short supply.
“It’s worth it. I think we have a great chance. They showed real steel during the Harlequins games,” he said.
Meanwhile on sea crossings Stena Line estimates that it will be carrying 4,000 Leinster fans this weekend. About 3,000 of those are travelling from Belfast to Stranraer and the rest are travelling from Dublin to Holyhead and on to Edinburgh, a round trip of more than 1,000 kilometres.
“I have never seen such demand,” said Stena Line spokesman Nigel Tilson who said the ferries will also be full with Celtic fans this morning.
“It’s worse than Christmas. Our ships are absolutely bursting,” he said.