Ballymena tournament

[BC supporter]

I'll be traveling in the republic as of next week and am thinking of taking the train up from Dublin to see Canada's U-17's play Finland on Saturday, May 1. (Canada also plays Northern Ireland on Thursday and Switzerland on Friday.)

Anyone else going to be at the tournament?

[northern ireland fan]

As I live in Belfast I'm hoping to get to the game between Northern Ireland and canada on the Thursday, the only problem is that I'm going to see Northern Ireland U18's versus Iceland on the Monday night, N.I U23's vrs Serbia on the Tuesday night and the full team playing Serbia on the Wednesday night of that week. I'm also hoping to be involved in a heavy drinking session with the players on the Wednesday night after the game (I know one of the players dads and am having dinner with him and another couple of mates before the game). So by the Thursday I might be a wee bit knackered and 'footballed out'.

If you are going to the game you can get a train from Belfast to ballymena from the same station that will bring you from Dublin. But first of all check that all the Canadian games are actually in Ballymena, as some venues can't be reached by train. Good luck - you should definitely come North to enjoy some crack, if you need any travel advice etc just ask me. Hopefully I can provide a report of the N.I/Canada game for everybody else.

[BC supporter]

Thanks, NI Fan. I think I've got the train schedule from Connolly to Belfast and the transfer to Ballymena figured out, so I'll be at the Finland game unless I get alcohol poisoning in Dublin. I spent a couple nights in the North two years ago, staying at Derry and Belfast hostels, and had a great time. I'm looking forward to more of the same this trip. Good luck to Northern Ireland in the games this week (except April 29). Cheers.