Quest for the elusive Cardiff ticket

FOR the fortunate, the focus is very much on the quest for the Grand Slam. For the less fortunate, the focus is on the quest for tickets.

While those with guaranteed seats for the historic game packed the many bars in the shadow of the Millennium Stadium yesterday, the rest scoured St Mary’s Street asking: “Any spares mate?”

Officially, Ireland have been allocated about 5,000 of the 74,500 seats inside the ground, but if the persistence and ingenuity of the supporters is anything to go by, those famous Welsh voices could yet be drowned out.

Flying over yesterday morning one fan, doing his best impression of a well-spoken air hostess, walked down the aisle of the plane asking each and every one of his fellow passengers in turn whether they had a surplus.

Another enquired whether the captain would be able to make an announcement over the intercom just to make doubly sure there were no extras floating about.

Once in Cardiff the quest continued. Cork men Shane Murphy and Stephen Jones intended to spend most of their time outside the Millennium Stadium on the off chance of picking one up.

“I’m a student so funds are tight but I think I’d spend up to £150 (€160) to get in,” said Shane.

“To be honest I’d forego everything just to get inside the stadium. I wouldn’t care if I didn’t take a drink all weekend as long as I get in.”

John Ferguson, from Limavady, Co Derry, said he didn’t yet know where he was staying but added he was going to have to good weekend whether he got a ticket or not. “Any self-respecting Irish rugby fan couldn’t be anywhere else this weekend,” he said.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He also had a message for all the Welsh fans thinking of trampling on the Irish Grand Slam dream.

“Tom Jones, Charlotte Church, Catherine Jenkins, Prince Charles — your boys are going to take one hell of a beating.”

Of those lucky enough to know they will be going to the ball, thoughts were already turning to the game itself.

Dave Sweeney from Sligo said he has a funny feeling that Ireland are finally going to end the 61-year wait for a clean sweep. “I’m very positive about it,” he said.

“I think we’ve a great chance. But sure whatever happens we’ll have a party and a few beers.”

The fans know that the match is not just a simple win or lose equation. Ireland can be slain by the Dragons tomorrow but still win the championship on points difference.

Sam Cawley from Kildare said that would be a bitter sweet moment: “That would be really sad if that happened, we don’t want it to end like that.

“I think the Irish rugby public only want us to go hell or bust — a grand slam or nothing.”

But home fan Bryn Owen from Anglesey thinks a Welsh victory and an Irish championship would be the perfect outcome.

“It would be a good day for everyone if that happens,” he said.

Frank Mongey from Dublin wasn’t prepared to countenance any sort of loss for the men in green.

“I think we’ll win it, but it will be tight,” he said.

“A Ronan O’Gara drop goal to win it by a point in the last minute will do me grand.”

Fellow Dub Donal Fitzgerald stressed that winning, while important, was not the be all and end all of the weekend.

“If we lose by 60 points I’ll still be celebrating,” he laughed.

Discussions over permutations continued late into the night as the Irish hordes prepared themselves for what could be a day to remember.

But, oddly, while some seemed ready to donate an organ for the chance to see the history books re-written, not all of those lucky enough to have a golden ticket seemed overjoyed.

One Irish wife, who looked distinctly like she’d been conveyed to Cardiff under duress, gasped when she heard they were going for up to £500 on internet auction sites.

“Imagine the weekend I could have with £500,” she sighed wistfully.

“And I wouldn’t even have to go to the rugby either.”