All the transport options GAA fans have for this weekends football semi-finals
All roads lead to Croker this weekend as Kerry take on Tyrone on Saturday and Meath face Donegal on Sunday in the semi-final stages. Many hopeful supporters have booked their bus and train tickets weeks in advance, but some might not be as organised.
With train tickets from Kerry and Sligo (where Donegal fans would travel by rail from) already booked out for the weekend, many supporters may be wondering what their alternative is, apart from making the drive to the capital. All roads lead to Croker this weekend as Kerry take on Tyrone on Saturday and Meath face Donegal on Sunday in the semi-final stages. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Jack O'Connor's Kerry face off Malachy O'Rourke and the Tyrone boys in the first semi-final on Saturday with kick-off at 5pm at Croke Park.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing the all Tralee to Dublin trains are fully booked as is the 7pm Dublin Heuston to Tralee train.
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae took to social media in recent days, confirming he had been in contact with Irish Rail who said 'they will be providing additional services on the day to accommodate supporters.'
The Junior Minister added that the rail network are currently finalizing details. Extra.ie have since reached out to Irish Rail for more clarity on when the tickets could go on sale for supporters to book.
While there is no Kerry to Dublin bus via Bus Eireann, supporters can get to Dublin via Dublin Coach who on Monday confirmed they have 'increased capacity' on Route 300 on Saturday.
Kerry fans have the option from getting the bus at either Killarney or Tralee, with buses from Tralee at 5.30am and 10.30am.
Times from Killarney include 6.30am; 7.30am; 9.30am and 11.30am.
For returning supporters there are still available tickets for the 8.15pm and 11.15pm buses to Tralee and 7.15pm and 9.15pm back to Killarney.
While Bus Eireann don't cater for Kerry to Dublin, Tyrone supporters may be able to travel via the bus company on Saturday with a number of bus tickets still available from Omagh, which is just ten minutes from the semi-finalists county.
The bus route runs in and around every hour. Those looking to get the bus back to Omagh on Saturday night should book sooner rather than later as the 9.15pm is fully booked. Setas on the 7.15pm is still available. While Bus Eireann don't cater for Kerry to Dublin, Tyrone supporters may be able to travel via the bus company on Saturday with a number of bus tickets still available from Omagh, which is just ten minutes from the semi-finalists county. Pic: Getty Images
In the second semi-final of the All Ireland Football Championships, Meath face Donegal with kick off on Sunday at 4pm at Croke Park.
Extra.ie have contacted Bus Eireann regarding options for Meath supporters travelling to the capital for the semi-final.
Another option Meath fans have is private bus service Collins Coaches, who are not running special buses for the day but have added extra capacity to their regular commuter service. In the second semi-final of the All Ireland Football Championships, Meath face Donegal with kick off on Sunday at 4pm at Croke Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
A spokesperson told Extra.ie: 'The 10am and 1pm N2 services from Carrickmacross on Sunday goes through Ardee, Collon, Slane, McGruder's Cross, The Brink, Curtis Cross, Balrath Cross and Rathfeigh Cross to Dublin.
'We plan to get a bit closer than usual by dropping at Mountjoy Square which is a short walk to Croke Park.'
Those looking to travel back to Meath via Collins Coaches on Sunday will have the 5pm; 7.15pm and 8.30pm bus services with the closest stop to Croke Park at Mountjoy Square West (bus stop I.D. 1174).
The company added that their Whitworth Road stop will not be serviced on the day due to safety issues.
For more information and timetables you can go here, with tickets only bought while boarding (cash, card, Leap Card and Free Travel Pass are all accepted).
For Donegal fans still looking to book travel tickets down to Dublin, tickets for the first train at 9.05am are fully booked, though there are tickets for the 11.05am train. There are no train tickets back to Donegal after the match.
The Expressway Donegal to Dublin route has still got plenty of tickets available also, with tickets available for the 5.30am; 7am and 10am Donegal to Dublin bus and return tickets also available on the 9.30pm and 11.00pm services.
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