Gardaí prepare for Cats and Cork invasion

Over 78,000 hurling fans are expected in Croke Park this Sunday as Cork face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling finals.

Over 78,000 hurling fans are expected in Croke Park this Sunday as Cork face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling finals.

The Garda traffic unit in Dublin is advising motorists to comply with traffic and parking arrangements prior to and after the game.

Motorists approaching along the M50 and inbound along the M1 are advised to allow plenty of extra time for traffic delays due to the construction of the Dublin Port Tunnel.

It's also advisable to take the approach routes along the Navan Road (N3) or the Drumcondra Road (N1/M1) as these will take traffic directly to the car parks adjacent  to the Stadium.

Two supervised car parks will be available close to the stadium: Clonliffe College (access via Drumcondra Road) and O'Connell School, Richmond Street North, (access is via the North Circular Road).

After the match, an alternative return journey route to the M50 is recommended as this will take traffic northbound along Fairview Strand, Malahide Road, Belcamp Lane (N32) and back onto the M50. This route will avoid the Dublin port tunnel works and it will be clearly sign-posted.

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Any vehicles illegally parked in the area are likely to be clamped or impounded and subject to a fine of €130 or more. Gardaí are also advising the public that drinking alcohol will not be allowed outside pubs in the area or in any other public place.

Gardaí have said 221 tickets stolen recently have been declared invalid. The tickets were for the Cusack Stand; new tickets have since been reissued and marked accordingly.

Apart from the All Ireland Hurling final on Sunday, there are a number of other sporting fixtures around the country that may disrupt local traffic over the weekend.

The FAI cup quarterfinal between Rockmount and Waterford takes place in Waterford at 7.30  this evening.  St. Patrick's Athletic play Bohemians in the Dublin Derby at Inchicore - also at 7.30 p.m.

Tomorrow, Ulster play Leinster in Ravenhill, Belfast, at 5.15 p.m., and Munster play Connacht in the Celtic League in Musgrove Park, Cork, at 8 p.m. tomorrow.