The Republic of Ireland squad is finalising preparations for tomorrow’s UEFA Nations League match against England in Dublin.
More than 49,000 people are expected to attend the Aviva Stadium for the game.
A significant Garda policing and traffic management plan will be in place.
Heavy volumes of traffic are expected in Dublin city centre and in the general Dublin 4 area throughout the day.
Those who will be using the city are advised to plan their journey in advance and expect delays and rolling road closures.
Those attending the stadium are advised to use public transport as much as possible.
Travel
A cordon will be in effect on the streets that lead to the venue.
Only accredited vehicles will be permitted to pass by this cordon and all vehicles will be checked.
Local residents, their immediate families and the local business community will be facilitated at the barriers with proof of address.
Proof of address, however, does not guarantee entry through the cordon when pedestrian volumes are high.
The following roads will be closed to through traffic from 12:15pm on Saturday:
- Lansdowne Park
- Lansdowne Lane
- Lansdowne Road from Shelbourne Road to Herbert Bridge
- Herbert Road
- Newbridge Avenue
- Bath Avenue
- Londonbridge Road
The following roads will be closed to through traffic from 3.00pm on Saturday:
- The remainder of Lansdowne Road from Shelbourne Road to Pembroke Road
- Shelbourne Road
- Beatty’s Avenue
- Ballsbridge Avenue
Gardaí say other rolling road closures may be required due to security escorts, temporary fan movements or other non-event road related incidents.
The traffic diversions and road closures will remain in force until the event is over and the roads are free of pedestrian traffic.
Safety
Up to 1,100 Gardaí of all ranks will be on duty in Dublin city, around the Aviva Stadium, Dublin Airport and other associated areas.
Uniformed Gardaí will be assisted by specialist units such as National Public Order Units, Air Support Unit, Mounted Unit and the Armed Support Unit.
UK police are travelling to Dublin ahead of the match to assist Gardaí.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the police will be in Gardaí control rooms and will “have no policing powers”.
“They are there to observe, assist us and indeed then if we have to deal with disorder, they may be able to assist us.
“They will be in our control rooms and if necessary then we can also deploy them with our public order units.”
Parking
From 7.00am on Saturday parking will be prohibited at the following locations:
- Lansdowne Road – Both sides from Shelbourne Road to Herbert Bridge
- Herbert Road – Left side from Herbert Bridge to Tritonville Road
- Lansdowne Lane – Left side from Shelbourne Road
- Shelbourne Road – Both sides from Shelbourne Avenue to The Podium Entrance
- Shelbourne Road – Left side from The Podium Entrance to Bath Avenue
- Havelock Square – Right side from Bath Avenue to the Entrance Gate
- Northumberland Road – Both sides from Lansdowne Road to Haddington Road
‘Got to put it into practice’
Former Ireland International Ray Houghton told Newstalk Breakfast it’s an exciting time.
“It’s a new chapter in Irish football [with] a new manager coming in,” he said.
“I was watching some of the training sessions online that he’s been putting on and it looks like the new manager is very excited to be there.
“He’s put across his point of view to the players, what he wants from them.
“It all looks good at the moment but you’ve got to put it into practice tomorrow because this is a very tough game.
“The boys know they’re up against it but [if] they get some sort of result in this game it’ll bode well for the rest of the matches they’ve got with Greece on Tuesday as well”.
Mr Houghton said there’s one area Ireland needs to watch tomorrow.
“I really want to see them being more proactive in the final third,” he said.
“I think that’s something that’s been missing for a game for a long time.
“We’ve been more proficient defensively, more proficient trying to pass out from the back but where we’ve been laboured for quite a while is creating chances scoring goals.
“That’s been part of the fabric with Ireland for quite a while now and we’ve got to change that mentality”.
Kick-off is at 5pm.
