A look at the latest sports deals
Rugby
After Munster's Heineken Cup win last weekend, rugby
fans will be looking forward to next season already, and to next
summer's British & Irish Lions tour.
The team will take on the world champions, South Africa, in three test matches next June and July. The last time the Lions visited South Africa, in 1997, they
won the series by two tests to one. Starting in May of next year, the Lions will play 10 matches in seven cities over six weeks, with the opening test, against the Springboks, in Durban on June 20th. See www.lionsrugby.com
Killester Travel (01-8336935, www.killestertravel.com), a subagent of England Rugby Travel for the trip, is taking registrations for its two- and three-test packages, including guaranteed match tickets. Marathon Travel (01-4755010, www.marathon-travel.ie) will be offering three packages for the event. The first is a tickets-and- accommodation deal for the three tests. It is also offering 13- and 16-day tours, both of which include accommodation, transfers and guide assistance. It says it will has "special incentives" for rugby-club groups that wish to travel.
Dawson Travel (021-4274397, www.dawson-travel.com) will be finalising its deals for the tour shortly. English company Sportsworld (00-44- 1235-555844, www.sportsworld.co.uk), a licensed operator for the tour, has set up a priority registration service for both regular and corporate clients.
Soccer
Sportstours (01-4572311,
www.sportstours.ie) has a
weekend package for the Community Shield match between Premier
League champions Manchester United and FA Cup winners Portsmouth at
Wembley on August 10th. The deal, which includes flights, two
nights' hotel accommodation and a match ticket, costs €399
per person plus tax.