FORMER REPUBLIC of Ireland soccer international Ray Treacy is to close his sports travel agency at the end of the month.
Ray Treacy Travel employed three people and was best-known for its role in transporting Irish soccer fans to international away matches.
Mr Treacy said he was retiring after 30 good years in the travel business. “When you’re no longer making money, it’s time to walk away. You gotta know when to fold ’em.”
He said the main reason for the decline in business in recent years was the growing popularity of the internet for travel bookings.
The mixed fortunes of the Irish soccer team since 2002 was less of a factor, he said, as football bookings account for less than half of his business.
The Republic still has a reasonable chance of qualifying for the next World Cup in South Africa, depending on the results of two matches in the coming weeks, but Mr Treacy said he did not intend to reconsider his decision if we qualify.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation had been informed of his decision, he said, and he was satisfied that all existing customers would be taken care of. “All bookings will be fully honoured by it without recourse to the government bond.”
Mr Treacy was capped 42 times for Ireland.
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