Limericks Thomond Park Closing Down

Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) October 20, 2005

Thomond Park, Limerick’s home of rugby, is almost certain to close down. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Munster Branch admitted last week that a new stadium will be built elsewhere.

And with confirmation that the deal to buy 16 adjacent houses to develop the ground has collapsed, the rugby chiefs are now looking at greenfield sites to find a new home for Munster rugby.

Serious concerns are being raised as to whether future Munster matches will be played in Limerick at all.

The deadline to secure the 16 homes at Knockalisheen Road, Ballynanty has now passed and senior sources in the Munster Branch said last Thursday that “no houses will be bought” alongside Thomond Park to allow the multi-million euro redevelopment.

An IRFU spokesman said the residents have “made their position very clear and alternative greenfield sites are now being looked at”.

The news will come as a major blow to Limerick rugby supporters who regard Thomond Park as the spiritual home of Munster rugby and one of the world’s most famous rugby stadiums.

The IRFU purchased Thomond Park from the Munster Branch during the 1998/99 season.

“The IRFU are now examining all options and greenfield sites are being looked at. Munster rugby, Munster fans and Limerick rugby fans deserve the best possible facilities. Perhaps these have not always been on offer in the current facilities,” said an IRFU spokesman.

A senior Munster Branch source said the offer of buying the residents’ houses has become a “non-runner.”

“An offer was made and it was not accepted. No houses will be bought. I can’t speak for the IRFU, it is beyond my remit, but let’s look at the next options available. If it is a new ground in a new site, hopefully it will be kept close to Limerick city,” said the source.

Last year, rugby officials announced development plans for Thomond Park which involved turning the pitch 90 degrees, knocking the existing structures and building a 26,000 capacity facility with seating for 15,000, including 15 corporate boxes.

The Munster Branch will be reluctant to move from Thomond Park, but admit it is “time to be realistic.”

“We looked at turning the stadium—it doesn’t appear to be happening. Looking at all the options it is time to be realistic. You have to look at the capacity and redevelopment options. Hopefully we can stay in the vicinity of the city,” commented the source.

Earlier this week, the Munster Branch purchased a 10-acre greenfield site at Groody on the city’s outskirts for a training facility.

Thomond Park was the scene where Munster famously defeated the touring All-Blacks team in 1978—a game which inspired plays and books. The province is undefeated in Heineken Cup matches at the venue and in 2003 staged a remarkable performance to defeat Gloucester 33-6 to qualify for the latter stages of the competition.http://www.limerick.com.

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