Cork camogie team caught in rail delays after incident causes train cancellations

Start of the match delayed by 15 minutes to allow for the late arrival of the team

Cork players arrived late for the game after rail delays. Photograph: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Cork players arrived late for the game after rail delays. Photograph: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Services on train lines to Dublin on Sunday morning faced major disruption due to an incident on the line between Ballybrophy and Portlaoise.

It is understood that the Cork camogie team, who were set to play Kilkenny in Croke Park today with throw-in at 1.30pm, were travelling on an Irish Rail service from Cork to Dublin that was delayed by the incident.

Irish Rail said they arranged a bus for the team to continue their journey to the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship quarter final.

The start of the match was delayed by 15 minutes to allow for the late arrival of the team, but began without further disruption.

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The section of line re-opened at 12.17pm, with services resuming in the area. However, significant delays were expected to continue, with thousands travelling to Croke Park from the west and south potentially facing difficulties in travelling.

The 10.25am train from Ennis to Heuston was cancelled, and the Cork, Limerick and Tralee to Heuston services were for a period not proceeding past Ballybrophy.

In addition to Cork players and fans, supporters due to travel to Croke Park from Clare for today’s All-Ireland semi final against Kilkenny could face difficulty arriving in Dublin in time, with many having opted to travel by train.

The game is due to throw in at 4pm.

Jane Cregan, a spokeswoman for Irish Rail said that shortly before 9.30am this morning, a fatal incident occurred, and that as a result of that, there were no services operating between Portlaois and Thurles.

“Obviously this has a major impact for people who are going to Croke Park today, particularly the Clare supporters,” she said.

She had advised supporters at that time to consider alternatives.

Supporters travelling from Kilkenny have not been affected.

Ellen O’Donoghue

Ellen O’Donoghue

Ellen O'Donoghue is an Irish Times journalist