FROM THE ARCHIVES:The run-up to the Ireland versus Wales match at Lansdowne Road in 1952 was marked by near-hysteria over the shortage of tickets and the hordes of ticket-less Welshmen arriving in Dublin to see their team win the Triple Crown (which they duly did by 14 points to 3). It rose to such a pitch that this was
The Irish Timeslead story on match day. -
JOE JOYCE
ELABORATE PLANS have been made by the Civic Guards and the Irish Rugby Football Union to ensure that to-day’s Rugby international between Ireland and Wales, at Lansdowne road, passes without incident, and, if necessary, to thwart the plans of several thousands of Welsh supporters without tickets, who have openly expressed their determination of getting into the grounds.
The 240 stewards on duty inside the grounds will be augmented by many policemen, at the request of the the Rugby Union. In addition, there will be an unusually large force of uniformed Civic Guards and detectives on duty all round the grounds and in roads leading to Lansdowne road.
While it is not possible to give an exact figure for the number of Welsh people who have travelled to Dublin for the match it is estimated that there will be at least 12,000 here. A further large contingent was due this morning.
Seldom before has there been so much excitement in Dublin before an international football match. This may be because so many Irish people failed to get tickets; and the thousands of Welsh, red-bereted supporters who have been in the city all week also have created added interest.
Strange rumours circulated in Dublin yesterday. Most of them centred on alleged statements by Welsh supporters on how they were going to gain admittance to Lansdowne Road. A 2 a.m. yesterday the “Irish Times” was informed that a section of the Welsh supporters was going to dig a tunnel under the walls.
There were other rumours that some Welshmen had arrived in Dublin armed with pick-axes and explosives to blast their way, if necessary, through the walls.
While Dublin sympathises with the many supporters who have come from Wales and who have not been able to get tickets, the Irish Rugby Football Union cannot be blamed for the occurrence. It advertised some time ago in most Welsh newspapers a warning not to travel unless they had tickets.
The allocation of tickets to Wales – undisclosed by the Rugby Union, but thought to be more than 3,000 – was sold out in Wales many weeks ago.
Many Dubliners shared their optimism. Until the shops closed last night people continued to inquire about tickets, notwithstanding fortnight-old notices proclaiming that all tickets had been sold out.
The manager of one Dublin shop said yesterday that he would have had absolutely no difficulty in selling another 10,000 tickets. The total ticket allocation for the match is 44,500, but, in spite of this, there seems to be as many Irish supporters without tickets as there are Welsh.
http://url.ie/9kyk