Rome or bust: Cork Airport buzzing with Ireland rugby fans ahead of huge Six Nations match

Cork Airport was a sea of green and white on Friday morning as hundreds of rugby fans jetted out to Rome to see Ireland take on Italy in the final games of the Six Nations Championship at the Stadio Olimpico. 

While the chances of a historic third successive Six Nations title hang by the merest of threads, there was still a palpable sense of excitement in the air among the travelling supporters who spoke to The Echo ahead of their St Patrick's weekend  trip to the Eternal City.

It is sure to be an emotional occasion in Rome for the trio of Irish rugby stalwarts, including Corkman Peter O’Mahony, who along with Conor Murray and Cian Healy, as they close the curtain on outstanding playing careers for club and country.

“I can’t wait to see the lads. It is a huge day for them,” said Karen Dineen from Blackrock in Cork city, who was having a drink with her family before heading off to Rome.

“We are really looking forward to it. We are all very excited the whole lot of us to be honest.” 

Irish rugby fans from Cork also told The Echo they are looking forward to seeing Jack Crowley starting at out-half in Rome.

Morgan Grene, part of a group from Tipperary heading to the match said it was "like the countdown to Christmas."

"Six weeks ago, we planned this. We were hoping to be going out there on a real high. But now it is a case of hoping we finish second. I think that is our best realistic hope," said Mr Grene

"But there is a huge Irish crowd going out there. The atmosphere will be brilliant. Rome this time of year with a full stadium. It will be a great occasion either way," he added. 

Many Irish supporters are heading over to for the entire long weekend and are set on having a good time -  regardless of the result in Rome.

“It is a pity that we didn’t win the Grand Slam, but sure look it will be mighty. The atmosphere will be unreal. A bit of banter and a bit of craic, that is all you want," declared David Condon from County Limerick.

“This will be my third away match. You can’t beat Rome, there is no place like Rome.” 

The newly refurbished CRAFT Bar and Restaurant picked a very good time to re-open for business in Cork Airport.

General Manager Monique Egan told The Echo there were plenty of enthusiastic punters from the very early hours.

“We opened this morning at 4am and from then we were serving pints and food to customers. But the atmosphere was unbelievable, there was plenty of green jerseys and musicians, it was fantastic.” 

Deputy Managing Director at Cork Airport, Roy O’Driscoll described the enjoyment around the airport on Friday morning

“What a fantastic atmosphere at Cork Airport this morning as almost a thousand fans jet off to Rome for Ireland’s last Six Nations game. This week has been an incredibly busy one on the sporting front, with punters heading to Cheltenham throughout the week," said Mr O'Driscoll.

“The electric atmosphere will continue throughout the weekend with a feast of traditional Irish music and dance on show for arriving passengers.”