Happy campers all set for Euro 2016

A GROUP of Irish soccer fans from Mayo have solved their accommodation arrangements for Euro 2016 in France next month, writes Tom Gillespie.

They have won a €30,000 camper van thanks to a competition in The Irish Star.

The group of six, both past and present customers of the Bungalow Bar on Castlebar’s Main Street, had to gather 100 Star mastheads over a two-and-half week period to enter the competition and explain in no more than 60 words why they should drive away with the state-of-the-art vehicle.

Led by Bungalow head barman Alan ‘Cooks’ Culkeen, they amassed the mastheads and submitted the following reasons why they should win: ‘Our friend, chippie Rory, is returning from Australia for Euro 2016. We have tickets for some of the games in France.

‘Our group consists of a barman, an insulating expert, sparks, a computer geek and a retired typesetter.

‘However, we need transport and accommodation and what better way to travel than in a whopping new €30,000 camper van.’

The winning group also consists of pals Joe Costello, Justin Cox, Frank Burke, Dan Ryan and Rory Delahunty.

Alan was contacted by The Star advising that their entry was one of three in contention.

Alan, Dan and Joe travelled to Dublin’s Bull & Castle pub where they met Paul McGrath, former Ireland boss Brian Kerr, Eamon Dunphy, Pat Dolan and Roddie Collins and were informed of their win.

Alan told The Connaught Telegraph: “We were in the process of sourcing a camper van so this win is a dream come true for us. We are all looking forward to the games, which we will now enjoy in height of comfort.

“We are all looking forward to the trip and to seeing the French countryside as well as attending the games.'