The Irish team faces an uphill journey, but the intrepid Pedal to Poland cyclists face a flat one as they power towards their final destination and that date with Spain.

Thousands of soccer fans travelling on expensive Euro 2012 packages will not be given match tickets until their planes are physically in the air over fears they could be stolen or sold on last-minute black markets.

YOU know the good times are back when the inflatable bananas reappear.