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Lomu to switch on lights E-mail
Written by Rachael Finucane   
Wednesday, 12 November 2008

ALL Blacks rugby legend, Jonah Lomu, will switch on Limerick’s Christmas lights as part of several days of celebrations intended to ‘paint the town red’ in honour of Thomond Park’s opening.
The first global superstar of rugby union will join Mayor John Gilligan and the people of Limerick at 5pm on November 17, the eve of the eagerly anticipated Zurich challenge clash between Munster and New Zealand at the newly expanded Limerick Stadium.
The city will play host to four days of rugby themed events Limerick City Council flood lighting City Hall in Munster red and decorating Shannon Bridge, Sarsfield Bridge and Baal’s Bridge with flags and banners to create a festival atmosphere for visitors and fans.
Limerick shops, pub and restaurants have begun dressing their windows in red and black colours in anticipation of the match when Thomond Park Stadium will be officially opened by n Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.
Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Gilligan, said that “it’s wonderful that we have a stadium like Thomond Park in our city where Munster fans have wonderful memories and can look forward to many more great days. In Limerick, we have a great sporting
tradition and there’s set to be a fantastic atmosphere in the city as we gear up for the most high profile re-match that we’ve seen since 1978”.
The award winning play, ‘Alone it stands’, which catalogues the first historic Munster win over the All Blacks also returns to the city for a limited run from November 15 to November 18 at LIT’s Millenium Theatre (bookings 061-322322).  
On November 16, New Zealand players will officially open the Munster rugby store at the Stadium and the stadium’s new interactive museum at 6pm before taking part in an All Blacks signing session for Adidas competition winners.
There will be a breakfast briefing at Thomond Park on November 17, featuring some of the leading names in world rugby with all proceeds going to St Gabriel’s School and Centre in Dooradoyle.
Later that morning, between 11am and 2pm, Limerick’s Live 95FM will broadcast a unique pre-match programme live from City Hall while the unique rugby art exhibition ‘Rugby-The Popular Side’ by local artist Ger Mallon is also open to visitors to City Hall.
At 6.30pm, Young Munster RFC presents an evening with The All Black’s Graham Henry, Mike Cron and Steve Hanson at The South Court Hotel.
At 7.30pm in Dooradoyle, former Ireland internationals Brian Spillane, Peter Clohessy and 1978 Munster hero Gerry ‘Ginger’ Mc Loughlin will star in a Limerick Leprechauns side v International/All Blacks Leprechauns at Garryowen Rugby Club.
On match day, Limerick City Council will hold a civic reception for the Munster and New Zealand teams at City Hall and match kick-off is 7.30pm.
Thomond Park Stadium Director, John Cantwell, said that “the official launch of the stadium promises to be a spectacular night”.

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