A vast convoy of camper vans with Munster flags swept into the Welsh capital, writes CARL O'BRIENin Cardiff.
THE SEA, air and land assault began in earnest yesterday as Munster's red army swept into Cardiff in the early hours of the morning.
The convoy of Limerick and Cork-registered camper vans made its first incursion deep into Welsh territory. The flag-waving vehicles made their way towards the capital under cover of darkness.
By yesterday the convoy - dubbed the amphibious unit - had taken over Llandaff rugby club, on the outskirts of the city, as dozens and dozens of camper vans filled its car park to overflowing.
"I think we got the last camper van available. We almost went to Donegal to get one in the end," said Gary Cobb (23), drinking a beer outside his six-person camper van, which he was sharing with supporters from Cork, Laois and Offaly.
"We were part of the first wave this morning. I couldn't believe the boat on the way over - it was just a sea of red. And there'll be more arriving over the next 24 hours." He's not kidding. Anything between 50,000 and 60,000 Munster fans are expected to pack into Cardiff today in the hope of seeing Munster crowned European rugby champions for the second time in three years.
City authorities in Cardiff are rubbing their hands with glee, anticipating the single most lucrative sporting day in the capital's history.
When Munster fans last arrived for the final two years ago they spent almost £20 million (€25.1 million). Cardiff International Airport is braced today for a record number of passengers for a one-off game, with 10,000 flying in on 100 extra flights.
Thousands more have been forced to fly to outlying airports as far away as Glasgow and Newcastle in order to get to the game, while ferries from Ireland to Holyhead and Fishguard have been booked solid for weeks.
The invasion of Munster fans has already resulted in one of the city's bars, Kitty Flynn's, being renamed The Munster Bar.
Hundreds were packed inside by yesterday afternoon, with manager Mark Tobin from Tralee, Co Kerry, insisting that all his staff wear Munster colours for the occasion. "We've been stocking up for weeks now," Tobin said. "Six Nations matches are busy, but this is different. We'll going to be run off our feet for the entire weekend." Sinking his first pint of the day was Patrick Twomey (29), a factory worker from Millstreet, Co Cork, wearing a Munster T-shirt that read "15 hearts, 30 balls and one kidney".
"And I'll be lucky if I've a liver left after all this," he said.
"I've taken a week off work. This is my summer holiday - I can't afford another trip. I'd much prefer to be here and see the lads give their all in the final. It's going to be some final."
Shannon Dore had rushed out of her last exam in UCC in order to beat rush-hour traffic and make the Rosslare crossing last night.
"I was finding it hard to concentrate towards the end of the exam, all right," said Dore, from Glin, Co Limerick. "Whatever it took, I was determined I'd make it over here." Despite meticulous planning and preparation, some of Munster's red army had to take evasive action at the last minute in order to make it in time.
Mike Gleeson and his brother Shane, both shop-owners from Limerick city, had planned to launch a naval assault by sailing across to Cardiff from Kinsale, Co Cork, in their six-man yacht.
It would have taken the crew of six about 30 hours to make the crossing. But, just after leaving shore, they were forced to turn back after engine trouble.
"I was cursing badly, but I've calmed down a bit now," said Gleeson, who made the crossing by more conventional means - Irish Ferries - yesterday.
This year's invasion, though, is notable for the number of fans wearing the red jersey who hail from Munster strongholds like, er, Laois, Dublin and Kildare.
They, too have been accepted into the rag bag army of fans with good humour and only the occasional ribbing.
"I'm from Dublin and work in Donnybrook, the heart of Leinster rugby, so I get a bit of slagging there," said Carol de Buitleir, who travelled over with fellow Munster fan Carmel O'Connor.
"But there's something unique about Munster rugby. We're from all over Ireland, It's feels like you're part of a family.