Mark Roddenspots a couple of sporting offers.
Soccer
On August 2nd Manchester United will hold a testimonial match for their retiring striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian, always popular with fans, will be best remembered for his stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
A number of Irish operators are offering deals for the testimonial, against Spanish side Espanyol, at Old Trafford. Abbey Travel (01-8047102, www.abbeytravel.ie) has a hotel-and-match-ticket package for €169 per person, excluding flights. Dawson Travel (021-4274397, www.dawson-travel.com) has three hotel-and- executive-match-ticket deals: €259 per person for a one-night stay, €299 for two nights and €339 for three nights. Flights are extra.
Sportstours (01-4572311, www.sportstours.ie) has a two-night package for €399 plus tax. This includes flights, hotel and match tickets.
Baseball
If you are planning a trip to New York this summer, keep in mind that this is the New York Yankees' final season at Yankee Stadium, in the Bronx. The 57,000-capacity venue has been the home of baseball's most successful franchise since 1923. Babe Ruth spent much of his career playing there, and the stadium was nicknamed the House that Ruth Built after the record-breaking player's ability to attract crowds to the game in the 1920s.
If you plan to see the stadium one last time, the Yankees will be in action all summer. Their final regular-season game is against the Baltimore Orioles on September 21st. Tickets for regular-season games cost between $12 and $400 (€8 and €260) through the Yankees' website (www.yankees. com). Stadium tours are also held regularly, priced at $20 (€13) for adults. Visit the website or call 00-1-718-2934300 for more information.