IRFU considering a greenfield site for Munster
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BRENDAN FANNING
MUNSTER may be moving out of Thomond Park for good if the IRFU decide that a new stadium on a greenfield site is the best option for the future of rugby in Limerick. And currently they are looking at other potential sites.
A decision is expected soon on the future of the ground, which currently is off limits after an attack by vandals that left the pitch unplayable until next month. There is a massive history tying Munster to the venue, which is owned by the IRFU, but last week Union chief executive Philip Browne said he is not convinced about staying there.
"Maybe we'll do something else," he said. "At the end of the day your interests have to be served, and if it can't be done in Thomond Park then maybe it can be done somewhere else. There are various options which are being explored. Thomond Park is one of them, but the bottom line is that at the moment it's inadequate both in terms of capacity and spectator facilities. It can only work if we can get a site within the ground to put up the stadium we want."
Neither Browne nor other union sources would divulge the locations of the other options. The attraction of a greenfield site would obviate the current impasse with residents who live adjacent to the ground. There is a reluctance from people who have lived there all their lives to sell up and move on.
When the original plans were being drawn up last year for the redevelopment of the ground, it wasn't envisaged that neighbours would be disturbed. That scheme 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. Along with plans to upgrade Musgrave Park, and buy a plot of land in Limerick for a training facility, the total package was priced at €31m. The cost was to be shared between private investors, who could avail of a tax break on capital grants to sporting bodies, the IRFU and the National Lottery.
Subsequently, it is understood, it emerged that the design wasn't so straightforward, and thereafter Munster looked at building on the same imprint. That's where the residents came in.
The situation was further compounded by the attack 10 days ago which left about 300 holes dug in the pitch. As an act of vandalism it was remarkably energetic. There is no suggestion that it is connected with the IRFU's attempts to buy out the local residents, rather it is another episode in a stadium that has had ongoing security issues. But the most pressing concern is the capacity of the site to deliver comfort for fans and finance to Munster.
"One of the downsides to Thomond is that there would be a big bang, in that you wouldn't be able to produce what you wanted over a phased basis, so you could end up with no stadium there for a season or longer," says Browne. "And the other downside is that if you can't assemble the property you need to make it work, then it won't work, in which case there's no point in spending good money after bad. The various options are being looked at, and the risks attached to each one, and we'll go with whatever's best."
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Grounds, less than a mile from Thomond Park, has been refurbished, leaving the GAA with four of the six county grounds enjoying capacities of 40,000 or more. And none of them a ground share operation. There is no suggestion that the potential availability to rugby of Croke Park has any implications for Limerick.
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=13047
