Ticket details for Croke Park on June 1st

LEINSTER S.F.C. QUARTER-FINALS - 1ST JUNE 2013- CROKE PARK
S.F.C. – WESTMEATH V DUBLIN @ 7.00PM
S.F.C. – OFFALY V KILDARE @ 5.00PM

GENERAL
Stand Tickets
Hogan Stand (No Concession) - €25
Cusack Stand - €25
Davin Stand - €25
Hill 16 (No Concessions) - €15

FAMILY TICKETS:- 
1 Adult and 2 Juveniles etc.
Family Tickets are only available for Cusack and Davin Stands
Adults - €25 Juveniles - €5
You are permitted to purchase 2 Juveniles ticket with every 1 Adult Ticket purchased

Students & Senior Citziens (Cusack & Davin Stand Only):- 
Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €10 when they produce appropriate I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via Block BLOCK D prior to ENTERING THE STADIUM)

Wheelchair Tickets:- 
The Wheelchair Ticket are free of charge and the Assistant's ticket is €25

GROUP PASSES:- GROUP PASSES (Under 16's) - DAVIN STAND ONLY
Groups Passes are provided for groups of Juveniles U-16 €3 per Juvenile and you are permitted to bring 1 adult free with every ten Juveniles, any additional adults pay full price for their tickets. (SUBJECT TO AVAILABLILITY)

ADULT CLUB GROUP TICKETS - DAVIN STAND & HOGAN STAND (DESIGNATED SECTIONS ONLY) 
Adult Club Groups Tickets are available for Club minimum of 15 maximum of 50 for the price of €15 each.(SUBJECT TO AVAILABLILITY) 

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Trap Paints Promising Picture for Campaign Climax

Scott Gaynor

Artist Patrick Loughran Presented Trapattoni with his work at Squad Announcement

                       

Ireland Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced his provisional squad for the upcoming fixtures with England, Georgia, the Faroe Islands, and Spain. There were no places for the injured trio of Kevin Doyle, Ciaran Clark and Richard Dunne, although the latter has been linked with an early return to make a final cut. Robbie Keane has been included as he is expected to overcome his ankle troubles and upon announcing his list, Trapattoni rejected FAI Chief Executive John Delaney’s claims that the side need to win 4 of the remaining 5 games if they are to finish second.

"Four wins is completely 100pc second, but there are other games. And we have games against Austria and Sweden also. I put no limit on performances and possibilities." said an optimistic Trapattoni.

On the upcoming friendlies Trap said that: “These matches will provide me with the opportunity to experiment with different players and tactics. I am looking forward to assembling the squad in London on May 26th.”

At the conference, artist Patrick Loughran presented the manager with a painted portrait, although some fans could argue that one Trap is bad enough, without having two! Trapattoni was rightfully impressed by Loughran’s work and declared his piece, “superperb-a & tremendouze” in his finest Italian twang. Here’s to hoping we can describe Ireland’s second half to the qualifying campaign with similar zest.

(L-R) Jackie Maguire (Leitrim County Council), Patrick Loughran, Giovanni Trapattoni, Enda Stenson, (Leitrim County Council)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Forde (Millwall), Westwood (Sunderland), Randolph (Motherwell).

Defenders: O’Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester City), Delaney (Crystal Palace), R Keogh (Derby County), Wilson (Stoke City), Coleman (Everton), Kelly (Reading), O’Dea (Toronto), McShane (Hull City).

Midfielders: Whelan (Stoke City), McCarthy (Wigan Athletic), Green (Leeds United), Hendrick (Derby County), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Pilkington (Norwich City), McClean (Sunderland), Brady (Hull City), Meyler (Hull City), Keogh (Millwall).

Forwards: Keane (LA Galaxy), Long (West Brom), Sammon (Derby County), Walters (Stoke City), Cox (Nottingham Forest), Hoolahan (Norwich City).

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Falcao Tempted by Monaco’s Millions?

Scott Gaynor

Radamel answering my question of how big the cheque they’re offering is. 

If Radamel Falcao signs for AS Monaco this summer, the integrity of the game, rather than Atlético Madrid, will be the real loser. Spanish station ‘La Sexta’ ran with a piece this week detailing that Claudio Ranieri’s men had made a move for the Columbian international, and the French paper L’Equipe are also now running the story. Yes, we live in a world where money talks, but this move would surely top the lot.

I was fortunate enough to be at the Aviva Stadium for the Europa League final between F.C. Porto and S.C. Braga and Falcao himself scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for Porto. Porto had an incredible front two with Falcao and Hulk leading the line and if this transfer comes off it looks like they’ve more in common than the fact both played under André Villas Boas in Portugal.

Hulk has since left Portugal and teamed up with Zenit St. Petersburg for a fee of £32 million. Similarly to Falcao’s situation now, Hulk could have potentially joined the bulk of the traditional big European clubs, challenging for trophies in the biggest leagues. But instead he went off to Russsia for a big pay day. Maybe that’s a bit harsh. Maybe it was his childhood dream when he played on the sandy beaches of Brazil to put the Russian league on the map instead of challenging for top European and International honours. Yeah, I didn’t think so either. 

Falcao and Hulk appear to have similar ambitions in the game.

Falcao has been linked to some of the European big guns, as constant speculation connects him with a move to Chelsea with Fernando Torres’ long-term future in doubt. If José Mourinho takes charge at Stamford Bridge, as is expected, he certainly fits the profile of someone that the Special One would look to bring in to shake up the squad. 

So why would he want to join a soon-to-be newly promoted French side? Well they do have ambitions plans and are being backed by a Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev. He wants to put Monaco on the map as a top football club alongside PSG in France and on the European stage and there is talk that former Chelsea boss Ranieri has over €200 million to form a team with lofty ambitions. Falcao has a release clause of €60 million and Monaco are believed to be willing to trigger it.

But Monaco haven’t won the top league in over 13 years and were relegated in 2011. Carlo Ancelotti and PSG already have a big head start on them in terms of putting a squad together to go and challenge the European elite. I do see the attraction of the surroundings, but can’t he go there on a well-earned holiday after a tough campaign at a club in the upper echelons of European football. Yes Monaco will pay big, but does it really matter if you’re on £300,000 a week instead £200,000? He’s going to be paid top dollar wherever he goes so I can’t see why he doesn’t have ambitions to play for a bigger club.

Learn from Hulk’s mistake Radamel. Don’t Mona-go. (I couldn’t resist) 

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