Trap is the toast of the town

GIOVANNI Trapattoni is the toast of Limerick, even before a ball is kicked at Thomond Park where the Republic of Ireland this evening take on Australia in a friendly soccer international.

The Italian and his squad bring with them a huge financial spin-off for hard-pressed local hotels, which have been finding it hard to fill rooms.

Maria Kelly, chief executive of Limerick Chamber of Commerce, said big rugby games at Thomond Park are worth anything between €7 million and €10m to the local economy.