Capital fans handed lifeline in bid to see Ulster game

EDINBURGH rugby fans who feared they might not be able to afford to watch their team take on Ulster in a historic Heineken Cup semi-final were yesterday given good news thanks to a former Scotland player and a travel company who have stepped in to provide subsidised return trips to Dublin.

Former Glasgow and Scotland winger Derek Stark, who runs DAB Events and trips to RBS Six Nations matches, has booked a charter flight that will take family members of players and supporters to Dublin and back on the same day.

Stark, a former Scottish Cup winner with Boroughmuir, said: “This has been an amazing campaign by Edinburgh and it’s a shame that so many people feel they can’t go because of the prices. The crowd made a huge difference to Edinburgh against Toulouse at Murrayfield and while we’re not going to see 38,000 at the Aviva, we could get a good few thousand who could make their voices heard. That’s the target with getting our own charter.”

Flight companies have lifted prices considerably to take advantage of the sudden interest in flights from Edinburgh on Saturday 28 April, the day that Michael Bradley’s team will meet Ulster in the first appearance in the last four by a Scottish team. With hotel costs on top a number of potential supporters have told The Scotsman that the trip is simply too expensive.

The cost of DAB Events’ day return trip offer is £245 per person and the flight will leave Edinburgh Airport on the Saturday morning, ensuring plenty of time before the 5.45pm kick-off, and return around 10.30pm.

Transfers from Dublin Airport to the Aviva Stadium are included, with a ‘Black and Red’ party being organised by supporters for St Stephens Green in the centre of Dublin ahead of the game.

The package includes:

l Coach, ferry and overnight in Belfast for £99. A luxury coach service will take fans from Murrayfield Stadium to Dublin and back, crossing the water on the Stena Line Superfast ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast. The price includes one night’s three-star hotel accommodation in Belfast on the way back and breakfast.

l Car ferry crossing from only £50 per person (based on car plus four people travelling). You can take your car on the ferry from Cairnryan to Belfast at a special Edinburgh Rugby fare of £199 return for a car plus four persons.

l Car ferry crossing and a night in Belfast or Dublin from £110 per head. Car crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast and a bed for the night in Dublin or Belfast from £110.

For more information contact Stark at: [email protected] or by calling 07590 035461.