News

Thomond Park is back!

September 23 2008

Just when you thought it was safe to venture to southern Ireland, Munster announced on Monday that the new double-size Thomond Park will re-open for a trial run this Friday, before Munster host Glasgow the following weekend.

A limited capacity of 10,000 will be imposed for the U20 match between Munster and Ulster this weekend, a match which is serving as a trial run.

for the match against Glasgow, 20,000 will be the limit, and then the stadium will be full - 25,000 singing Irishmen and a couple of lonely Frenchmen - for the first time when Munster host Montauban in the Heineken Cup on Friday October 10.

The main stands in the ground hold 7,500 fans each, and there are 10,000 terrace tickets, and the ground has certainly lost none of its flavour.

In a bizarre deviation from the norm of modern stadium-building, the redevelopment has been completed on time and within budget, although the store and rugby museum will not be open for a month or so still.

"There's been a huge voluntary input from people as well, which has been excellent," said Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald to the Irish Times

"When we get it open and get people to find their seats, I've no doubt, as with any new venture, there'll be hiccups but it'll be a great facility. I think people will be very impressed with it."