Special trains for Offaly-Roscommon U20 final 'expected to sell out'
Irish Rail has issued a reminder this afternoon that pre-booking is mandatory on all of its Intercity trains, with the special services that are being put on for this weekend's All Ireland Under-20 football final expected to sell out.
The clash between Offaly and Roscommon is taking place in Croke Park, with a throw-in of 1.30pm on Sunday.
Irish Rail is putting on additional services, as follows, for Sunday's game and for Saturday's All Ireland senior semi-final between Mayo and Dublin.
Saturday August 14 (Mayo v Dublin, Croke Park)
11.30hrs - Westport to Dublin Heuston (11.15hrs from Ballina, connecting at Manulla Junction)
21.10hrs - Heuston to Westport
21.35hrs - Heuston to Westport/Ballina
Sunday August 15 (Roscommon v Offaly, Croke Park)
09.50hrs - Athlone to Heuston
10.05hrs - Athlone to Heuston
17.30hrs - Heuston to Athlone
Currently, under the public health restrictions, trains are running at 75% capacity.
"While extra services have been added on Saturday (to/from Westport and Ballina) and on Sunday (to/from Athlone), already a number of services are sold out over the coming weekend, with more expected to sell out in advance," stated Irish Rail.
"Trains on all west of Ireland routes, Westport/Ballina to Dublin, Galway to Dublin and Sligo to Dublin, are expected to see high demand.
"Customers must have an advance booking to travel, as tickets will not be available for sale at stations for Intercity services."
Ticket bookings and reservations are available at www.irishrail.ie, with pre-booking mandatory for passengers along all of the stops on both the extra services and the regularly-scheduled services.
Face coverings are mandatory on all train services, while alcohol consumption is prohibited on all services and onboard catering also remains suspended for now.
"Iarnród Éireann thanks customers for their continuing cooperation with public health and capacity control measures in place at present," said the statement this afternoon.