CityJet, Ireland’s European regional airline, today carried the hopes of the nation to Euro16 in France.
The Republic of Ireland management, front row, from left, goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh, manager Martin O’Neill, captain Robbie Keane, assistant manager Roy Keane, coach Steve Walford and coach Steve Guppy, with squad members, from top, Shay Given, Darren Randolph, Robbie Brady, Keiren Westwood, Richard Keogh, Daryl Murphy, Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy, Glenn Whelan, Stephen Ward, Ciaran Clark, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Aiden McGeady, James McCarthy, Stephen Quinn, Jonathan Walters, Seamus Coleman, James McClean, Shane Long, Wes Hoolahan and John O’Shea board the CityJet flight to Paris for UEFA EURO2016 at Dublin Airport. CityJet is the official partner to the FAI. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile *** NO
Republic of Ireland players, from left, Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn, Wesley Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady before boarding the CityJet flight to Paris for UEFA EURO2016 at Dublin Airport. CityJet is the official partner to the FAI. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
Ireland manager, Martin O’ Neill, assistant manager, Roy Keane, 23 squad members and back up team were flown by CityJet, the Official Airline Partner of the Football Association of Ireland, to Paris Le Bourget Airport this afternoon.
CityJet Executive Chairman, Pat Byrne, said: “Everyone at CityJet was absolutely thrilled with the prospect of flying our boys in green to France for Euro16. It has been a privilege to carry the hopes of the nation to Paris and fingers crossed it will be some time before we make the return journey with the team. They have everyone’s best wishes in the championships.”
Mr Byrne added: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to come on board as official airline to the FAI in March and we look forward to working with the FAI as their ongoing partner following Euro16. CityJet is a pan-European airline with services across the continent, ranging from the Nordic regions down to Italy and a major operation in France, so it is wonderful working with the FAI at a time when the world of football focuses on Europe.”
What made the flight to Paris Le Bourget even more special was the fact that the aircraft flying the squad was CityJet’s latest recruit, the Superjet SSJ100. The aircraft is one of three the airline welcomes to its fleet this year and only arrived in Dublin last Thursday. This was its first scheduled flight in CityJet colours.