Soccer fans detour to get to World Cup play-offs

Louise Walsh

Six dedicated Irish soccer fans had to take planes, trains and automobiles after the costs of flights to the Czech Republic soared just minutes after the draw for the World Cup play-off semi-finals was made.

Damien Clarke from Navan, Co Meath had his laptop out while waiting for the draw announcement, which matched the Republic of Ireland against the Czech Republic in the play-off on March 26th next.

However, within minutes, the cost of flights had soared, and Damien and five other 'faithfuls' had to look for alternative routes.

Damien, who has been to over 60 Republic of Ireland away games over nearly 30 years, said he was going no matter what.

"I had the laptop open on the airlines page, listening to the draw, and when I heard the Czech Republic, I was right on there to book six tickets.

"I got a price of about €230 each way to Prague for each of us, but when I went to pay, I was told those prices were no longer applicable, and I had to try again.

"So I clicked out of it and went online again, and within those few minutes, the cost soared to in the region of €600 each. I've been talking to loads of people, and it was the same with other airlines.

"I booked to go to Berlin for €230 return each, and we will get a four-hour train journey to Prague for about €50 each. We have the accommodation sorted in Prague for three nights.

"There are six of us who booked together, but there are loads from Navan who go, and we will all meet up once there. Conor Murphy from Navan has booked to go to Amsterdam and will take an 11-hour train journey to Prague."

And - they still have no tickets.

"The tickets won't be out for months. If a few of the six of us get tickets and the others don't, that will be awkward," he laughed.

"We will probably decide who gets the tickets by which of us went to the most away games. I think that will be the fairest."

Damien will be travelling with his son Ronan and nephew Darren, friends Franko King and Fergal Collier and his son Finian.

"Most of us are season ticket holders and have been for nearly 30 years. We sit in the same seats in the Aviva and before that in Lansdowne Road, and we reckon we've been to over 60 away games. We will have to sit down and count them one night."

Damien, who is still on a high from the antics at Budapest when Ireland scored a 3-2 win over Hungary, brings his passion to the workplace as the owner of P. Clarke's Pub in Navan - the winner of the 'best Match Day Pub' award in the East Region at the Irish Pub Awards in 2024.

"There has been great excitement here in the pub since last week, and all talk now is to the draw. The country will go absolutely mad if we get to the World Cup."

"My wife expects it now, but I'd say some partners will get fantastic Christmas presents this year before being told their other half is heading for the World Cup."