Meal deal vow for Kingdom customers

THEY’LL be queuing for free breakfast rolls outside a shop in Kerry on Monday morning if Cork win tomorrow’s historic All-Ireland football final.

Corkman Vincent Devlin, who runs Devlin’s Centra in Caherciveen, has promised to console his customers if Cork are victorious.

But there’s a catch. People will have to wear the Cork colours to claim the rolls.

However, Vincent, who hails from Mallow, won’t mind once the Sam Maguire cup is resting in Leeside.

He said: “I’ve every confidence in the (Cork) lads on Sunday and after all the slagging I’ve been getting over the last few weeks, I’ll be giving plenty back on Monday if everything goes well!”

Boylesports bookmakers, expect to take in bets totalling more than €500,000 on the final.

Kerry are priced at 1/2, but Cork at 9/4 is the most popular wager this week, according to Boylesports spokesman Leon Blanche.

A Kerry win would also be a bad result for the bookies, which have lots of ante-post doubles running on Kerry and Kilkenny to win the football and hurling All-Irelands, respectively.

The 9/4 on any player to be sent off has been a popular bet. Odds of 10/1 are available on Cork manager Billy Morgan to see red and get his marching orders.

Upwards of 30,000 fans are travelling to Croke Park from the two counties. Tickets are very scarce, but some ticketless fans are going to Dublin in the hope of surplus tickets, especially from northern counties.

As the exodus from both counties gets under way today, extremely heavy traffic volumes are expected. Three special trains from both Cork and Kerry tomorrow are fully booked, according to Iarnród Éireann.

The AA advised people travelling by road tomorrow to leave well before 8am.

AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson said delays were inevitable on the N8 Cork/Dublin route.

Gardaí are expected to help the traffic flow through Mountrath and Abbeyleix.

Ms Hudson warned of roadworks on the Cahir/Cashel bypass, on the M7 near Dublin, around Naas and the Red Cow roundabout.

There will be parking available near Croke Park at Clonliffe College, Clonliffe Road and O’Connell School, Richmond Street North from 10.30am. Luas Park and Ride will also be available.

Coach parking will be provided at Mountjoy Square on its south, east and north sides, while the west side will be used for drop off/collectiononly.