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Written by David Raleigh
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 |
THE Director of Thomond Park has told the Limerick Independent that, in his opinion, the Gaelic Grounds wasn’t in a position to hold a European Cup rugby match to the same level as Thomond Park has proven it can.
John Cantwell was responding to comments made by Michael Sheehan, the Vice Chairman of the Limerick Football Board, who made a case for moving the upcoming Heineken Cup Quarter Final replay, between Munster and Northampton, from Thomond Park to the Gaelic Grounds.
One disgruntled local rugby supporter told the Limerick Independent: “It has to be in Thomond Park. It’s the home of rugby and the Gaelic Grounds is the home of hurling and football. Just because they (GAA) can’t field a hurling team they want to start fielding a rugby team. Well, they can keep their grubby hands of Thomond Park’s success.”
Michael Sheehan, who is also a Limerick County Councillor, suggested on Limerick’s Live 95FM that an application by Munster Rugby Club to host the game at the Ennis Road venue would be looked upon favourably at GAA Headquarters in Croke Park.
Cllr Sheehan said he still believed it would be a good move that would greatly benefit the region.
“We made ten million euro in our region for the Northampton game (at Thomond Park). Just imagine if we had 40,000 people in the Gaelic Grounds we would sell an extra half a million euro in tickets. Maybe €20m into the local economy…wouldn’t it be fantastic! But unless the Munster branch move towards us we can’t activate it further on up the line. And I think in the present economic climate Croke Park might be in a position to see the requirements, especially as we’ve been so badly hit here in Limerick with unemployment,” Mr Sheehan added.
John Cantwell stated that the decision was up to Munster Rugby, which itself has already insisted the clash with Northampton will take place at Thomond Park and it is not in their plans to seek permission to move the game to the Gaelic Grounds.
“I don’t think the Gaelic Grounds is in a position to hold more than 100 of the worlds press for these type of games anyway,” said Mr Cantwell.
He added: “I can’t comment for Munster Rugby but Munster play their home games here and at Musgrave Park in Cork and I don’t think it would be in a position to play its games anywhere else. It’s why Thomond Park was redeveloped in the first place.”
Mr Cantwell said Thomond Park was already planning to host the Northampton match along with a feast of other local rugby clashes in the AIB All-Ireland League.
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