An English couple arrived in Ireland yesterday, hoping that someone will give them tickets for today's Munster-Gloucester rugby match in return for use of their house in Cheltenham during the National Hunt racing festival in March.
Rugby fans Ralph and Kathleen Hole arrived at Shannon airport for today's Heineken European Cup clash between Munster and English favourites, Gloucester, in Thomond Park, Limerick.
But the Holeswere still without tickets last night for today's showdown.
Earlier this week, the couple advertised free accommodation in their five-bedroom home - complete with jacuzzi - for the Cheltenham racing festival in an attempt to secure tickets.
Their home in Charlton Kings is just a short distance from Cheltenham racecourse in the west of England.
They came up with the plan in a pub after every other effort to get tickets proved unsuccessful. Buty last night they were still without tickets.
"We still decided to travel and are praying that our dream to be at the match will come true," Kathleen said shortly after arriving in Ireland last night. "We have a few phone numbers to ring and hopefully it will all work out. Either way we're here for the big match even if we have to watch it in a pub."
The couple were hoping their offer would hit the right note with racing fans still looking for accommodation for the races in Cheltenham.
While Ralph is a strong Gloucester fan, his wife Kathleen - whose mother is from Cork - will be wearing the Munster colours today.
Tickets for the match sold out within hours of going on sale . Around 5,000 Gloucester fans have made the trip to Limerick this weekend. About 14,000 people are expected in Thomond Park today.
Munster need to win by four tries to advance to the next stage of the competition.