22 Aug 2014
Posted by Arwen Foley 
The road to Croker – Tips & Advice if travelling to SFC Semi-Final this weekend
Written by Noel Byrne
This Sunday sees the first of this year’s semi-finals in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship with Mayo taking on Kerry in Croke Park at both the minor and senior level.
As it stands, Irish Rail cannot guarantee services for this Sunday (or Monday 25th) due to threatened industrial action, which will affect Intercity services. Further details can be found on IrishRail.ie. We also have details below of some bus operators who are running coaches to Dublin for the match from both Kerry and Mayo.
If you’re driving to Dublin, keep in mind that there are roadworks in place at Newlands Cross on the N7 Dublin/ Limerick Rd, which has caused delays on previous weekends. Our video below details the changes you will encounter and how best to minimise your delays on approach to Newlands Cross:
If driving from Mayo, it’s also worth noting that there is a Marathon taking place in Longford town. Participants will be running along the N5 Longford/ Westport Rd as far as Tarmonbarry, which may cause delays for traffic travelling from Mayo to Dublin so allow extra time if using this route.
The following list of bus operators, which is not exhaustive, are offering services to Croke Park for supporters who are travelling from Mayo or Kerry. Keep in mind that most buses will pass through additional towns than those mentioned so your best option is to ring the particular operator to see when they are passing through your town.
Dublin Bus have also put together this handy little guide to buses that run to Croke Park:
National
Kerry
Killarney
Buckleys – Kerry Coaches, info@kerrycoaches.com 064 6631945
O’Callaghans Coaches, sales@jocgroup.com 064-6631095
Tralee
O’Sheas of Kerry (Tralee, Listowel, Abbeyfeale Route) – 066 7180123
Jackie Power – 066 7136300
Annascaul
Kennedys – 066 9157106
Ballinskelligs – South Kerry
John Goggins Buses 087 2229858
Castleisland
Michael Brosnan Tours – 066 7141404
O’Connor Coaches – oconnorcoaches@yahoo.ie Thomas on 087-6479759 or Cathleen on 086-2615216
Castlemaine & Killorglin
Flynns Coaches 087 9687997
Knocknagoshel
Billy Mangan – 087 9568382
Kenmare
Finnegans – 087 2480800
Listowel & North Kerry
Fitzpatricks – 068 21707
Rathmore
Frank Brosnan – 087 2420740
Renard GAA
Cournane Bus Hire – Contact Joseph McCrohan 087 2849165
Mayo
Ballina
Corduff Travel – 097-88949
Gillespie Coaches – 085-7646523
Treacy Coaches – 096-22563 or e-mail treacycoaches@eircom.net
Belmullet
Corduff Travel – 097-88949
Malachy Gaughan Coaches – 097 81243
Ballaghaderreen
O Hara Coaches – 094-9860057 / oharacoaches@gmail.com
Crossmolina
Gillespie Coaches – 085-7646523
Swinford
TMG Transport – 094-9252156
Thanks to KerryGAA.ie and MayoClub51.com for some of the details provided.
Image: Florian Christoph
