‘Very significant road closures’ in Limerick as almost 45,000 to attend Allianz Hurling League finals

THE Traffic Management Plan for the Easter Sunday Allianz Hurling League finals at the TUS Gaelic Grounds warns of "very significant road closures".

Almost 45,000 supporters are expected to attend the double-header at the Ennis Road stadium this Sunday, April 5.

In the opening game at 1.45 Clare play Dublin in the Division 1B league final and then at 4pm Limerick face Cork in the Division 1A final - both games will be televised live on TG4.

Limerick City and County Council, An Garda Síochána and Limerick GAA County Board have issued guidelines to supporters and the general public ahead of the event.

READ NEXT: All you need to know ahead of Allianz Hurling League final between Limerick and Cork

“A capacity crowd of 44,000 is expected to attend the games, which will cause traffic disruption in Limerick city and approach roads to the city. To maximise everyone’s enjoyment of the day Garda advice to patrons is to arrive in plenty of time, to park cars legally, i.e. not causing obstruction, not parking on green areas or at locations where parking is prohibited. Cars illegally parked will be ticketed and those causing obstruction are likely to be towed away by Gardai," outlined the Garda Traffic Management Plan for Sunday.

A number of other rolling road closures/diversions will apply from 12pm to 7pm on Sunday - residential, business and emergency service vehicle access will be maintained. 

Motorists using the Limerick Tunnel should consider using the main toll plaza, continue on the N18 to Exit 5 (Portdrine/Cratloe, take the N18 fly-over and take the Limerick Southern Ring Road to the Caherdavin Exit (R445) and utilise the Ennis Road. 

Road closures/diversions will apply from 12pm onwards at the following locations: 

* Sarsfield Bridge will be closed to outbound traffic - motorists will be diverted at the junction of Henry Street and Sarsfield Street

* Condell Road/Shelbourne Road Lower junction - no traffic will be permitted to turn right off Condell Road onto Shelbourne Road

* Clancy Strand/High Road - no traffic permitted onto Clancy Strand off High Road

* Belfield Court/High Road - only residential traffic permitted onto Belfield Court off High Road

* Stenson Park/Sexton Street North - only residential traffic permitted into Stenson Park off Sexton Street North

* Hassetts Cross/Shelbourne Rd junction - no traffic will be permitted onto Shelbourne Road at Hassetts Cross. Traffic will be diverted to Cratloe Road and Sexton Street North

* Ennis Road at its junction with Ivan’s Cross – traffic will be diverted to Northern Ring Road and towards Clonmacken Road

* Salesian’s School/North Circular Road junction – road closure

* Shelbourne Road/North Circular Road at Clanmaurice Avenue – road closure

* Union Cross – traffic will be diverted to Shelbourne Road 

* Shelbourne Park/Shelbourne Road – road closure

* Shelbourne Road/Mayorstone Drive - road closure 

* Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Avenue – road closure

* Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Upper – road closure

* Cratloe Road at its junction with Mayorstone Upper and TUS Roundabout (Merval Park) – road closure

* Ennis Road/Derravarragh Road – only local residents permitted

Match goers are reminded that the possession or use of flares, smoke bombs, and similar pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited, and intoxicated individuals will be refused entry in accordance with stadium regulations. 

An Garda Síochána further advises supporters to take sensible precautions with personal belongings and to ensure children are supervised at all times when travelling to and from the event. 

To help keep Limerick clean, please make use of the additional bins provided by Limerick City and County Council along key routes and around TUS Gaelic Grounds. Council cleansing crews will be working throughout and following the event to maintain a clean and welcoming environment.

After the match the following protocols will apply:

* Ennis Road will be closed from Sarsfield Bridge to Caherdavin Cross 

* Two lanes of traffic will operate outbound on the Ennis Road from Caherdavin Cross to Coonagh roundabout 

* All outbound traffic on Ennis Road from Caherdavin Cross to Coonagh roundabout will be directed out the R445 to the N18 and to take Exit 5 Portdrine/Cratloe, take flyover and Limerick Southern Ring Road back to Tunnel Toll Plaza and on to the Limerick Tunnel 

* Condell Road will be closed to inbound traffic at Coonagh roundabout 

* Traffic on Clonmacken Road will be directed towards Clonmacken Road roundabout and Condell Road and will use Toll Plaza or Condell Road to Shannon Bridge 

* Inbound traffic on Ennis Road will use Sarsfield Bridge to Limerick city centre 

* Inbound traffic on Cratloe Road will use Sexton Street North to Thomond Bridge to Island Road to Dublin Road and Limerick city centre. 

* Brookeville Avenue at its junction with TUS roundabout will be closed and traffic will use Cratloe Road inbound or Old Cratloe Road to Coonagh link road outbound 

* Redgate Road at its junction with Old Cratloe Road will be closed and only residents will be permitted into Redgate Road.  Traffic will use Cratloe Road and Old Cratloe Road