Come on red army

THE invasion by land, air, sea and rail began in earnest from early yesterday.

As the first major wave of Munster’s Red Army hit the Welsh shore, the Munster squad touched down in Cardiff airport just before midday, after a rapturous sendoff.

Thousands of supporters from Shannon, Dublin and Cork followed on the last scheduled flights direct to the Welsh capital.

Up to 25 charter flights will leave from Ireland this morning. Cardiff airport’s marketing manager, Peter Phillips, said he was also expecting 17 business jets, hired by leading business and property figures, to touch down during the day.

“We are expecting just three or four flights from Biarritz. This is definitely a Munster invasion,” he said.

“During the game, every single aircraft parking spot will be taken up.”

The airport handles about 3,500 passengers on a regular Saturday. It will handle an additional 8,000 passengers today, with up to 11,500 expected to pass through the terminal.

Aer Arann’s last scheduled flight from Cork to Cardiff departed just before 10am yesterday.

On board were die-hard Munster fans, pals Majella Ryan from Tarbert, Co Kerry, and Catherine Kenny from Nenagh in Co Tipperary.

“It was great craic at the airport but to be honest, things were a bit subdued,” Majella said.

Up to 3,000 fans are expected to fly out of Cork this morning on five charter flights on what will be the airport’s busiest weekend this year.

The surge of fans over the last two days pushed the airport’s passenger figures over the one million mark so far this year, marketing manager Kevin Cullinane said.

More than 3,000 passengers will fly out of Shannon. Between yesterday and today, the airport will handle 14 charter flights.

A spokeswoman for the airport said: “These flights will be in addition to our scheduled carriers. The transatlantic fleet of eight planes will be on the ground at the same time so we have had to put a big contingency plan to bus people out to planes as every bit of parking space for aircraft will be taken up.”

Majella and Catherine, both members of the Munster Supporters’ Club, arrived in Cardiff before lunchtime and said the atmosphere in the city is building.

“The city is covered in Munster flags and there are loads of people walking around in Munster jerseys already,” Majella said.

The Farm Relief Services (FRS) also reported a surge in business this weekend.

Liam O’Rourke, FRS manager in Limerick and north Cork, said he was able to fill all bookings.

“This is a cakewalk in comparison to a Munster hurling final weekend,” he observed.

The Munster team is due back in Shannon Airport at 11.40pm tonight. Limerick City Council has yet to organise an official welcome home for the squad but Cork City Council confirmed last night it has agreed with Munster officials to host a civic reception for the squad within the next few weeks.