Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
Roy Keane said it and in the Ireland of 2016, that’s gospel.
Keane and Martin O’Neill take their Irish team to France for the European Championships and, once we can find a way out of Group E, anything is possible.
If you are one of the thousands of Irish fans lucky enough to be flying off to France, here’s a last-minute checklist of all the essential you will need.
10. Your passport
In the name of all that you hold dear, do not leave this behind. If you’ve got yours close, make sure it is in date.
9. Match tickets
You will need these to get into the games against Sweden, Belgium and Italy and they must be official Uefa puppies. There will be no facility to lift anyone over the turnstile on the basis that ‘they’re only a little fella’.
8. Get your green, white and gold on
If you’re lacking in this department, don’t worry. The Loop, at Dublin and Cork Airport, is the last outpost on Irish soil where you can green yourself up to your heart’s content.
A selection of Irish tricolours, fun hats, t-shirts and jerseys will be on sale so you can blend right in with the cheering masses.
7. A tipple to whet thine appetite
There are a wide selection of alcoholic, and non-alcoholic, beverages are on sale at more than reasonable prices.
From O’Hara and Carlow beer packs [€11 from The Loop] to Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port [€20 from The Loop] if you are feeling classy, or a selection of champagnes if we have something to celebrate…
6. B.O. maskers
No one wants to sit beside the smelliest fan in the stadium. You’re going to be doing a lot of moving around and sweating, so sort yourself out with baby wipes, deodorant and, if you’re feeling fancy – aftershave, cologne or perfume.
5. Hygiene
This is very different to our previous item. Aside from smelling appropriately, it’s also necessary to actually be clean. Shower gel, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste are essential. Remember though, any liquids over 100 ml can’t go in hand luggage. There is a fine selection of toiletries under this size available at The Loop.
4. Trust us on the sun cream
Sun burn is no joke. You don’t want to be cheering on the Boys In Green while looking like an enormous lobster.
Also, do one thing every day that scares you.
3. Adapt or die
Everyone’s always on their phone these days. What’s the point in going anywhere if you can’t make your friends who couldn’t go jealous by posting detailed updates on your social media profiles of your wonderful, life-changing experience?
To do that, you’ll need your phone, which is essentially a glorified pocket weight if it isn’t fully charged. Make sure you have plenty of travel adapters, not just one or two that you’re bound to misplace. Dixon’s in the airport will sort you out. They’re good like that.
2. Provisions
You’re probably going to be doing a lot of travelling which requires energy. What better way to give yourself a boost than with a massive, oversized Toblerone?
Ok, there’s a lot healthier ways to do it, but you’ve got to live a little, you’re on holidays.
1. Headphones
Oft overlooked travel accessory. Sure you’ll probably be too busy enjoying yourself to have enough time to chill out and listen to tunes in France, but consider the flight home and/or those hungover mornings where you can’t face any human interaction. You’ll need some means of listening to Joxer Goes to Stuttgart and Jackie’s Army while travelling home after the Boys In Green upset the odds and win the European Championships!
Stranger things have happened.
For those that like to shop in advance with Click and Collect you can browse and purchase all your shopping needs from 12 hours in advance of your flight via www.theloop.ie . Your purchases can then be picked up on departure or return to Dublin or Cork Airport.
