Latest news with #PhilipQuinn
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pairc Ui Chaoimh to host Munster Champions Cup game
Munster have confirmed they will play one of next season's Investec Champions Cup pool fixtures at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Thomond Park in Limerick usually stages Munster's home European games, with Cork last hosting one at Virgin Media Park in December 2002. Munster have held friendly games against South Africa XV and New Zealand side Crusaders at the 45,000-capacity Pairc Ui Chaoimh in recent years. The match against Crusaders at the home of Cork GAA attracted a crowd of 40,885 and Munster say they hope for a "significant financial uplift" from hosting a Champions Cup game there compared to the 25,6000-capacity Thomond Park. "In addition to this, the larger capacity of Pairc Ui Chaoimh will allow even more people to experience a competitive Munster Rugby European matchday which provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our support base, not just in Cork but right across the southern part of the province," said Munster chief operating officer Philip Quinn. Munster chief executive Ian Costello, who has also served as interim head coach in recent months, said "showcasing a high-profile competitive fixture to a wider audience is a strategic goal of ours and this aligns with the feedback we have received from many of our supporters". He added: "Unfortunately, the December Champions Cup pool fixtures in Thomond Park have experienced falling attendances over the last two seasons and the staging of this game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh offers us the opportunity to accommodate more supporters at that match and improve our financial stability which in the current climate is imperative." Munster secured 2025-26 Champions Cup qualification with a United Rugby Championship win over Benetton last week. They face Sharks in Durban in the URC quarter-finals on 31 May (17:30 BST).
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Pairc Ui Chaoimh to host Munster Champions Cup game
Munster have confirmed they will play one of next season's Investec Champions Cup pool fixtures at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Thomond Park in Limerick usually stages Munster's home European games, with Cork last hosting one at Virgin Media Park in December 2002. Munster have held friendly games against South Africa XV and New Zealand side Crusaders at the 45,000-capacity Pairc Ui Chaoimh in recent years. The match against Crusaders at the home of Cork GAA attracted a crowd of 40,885 and Munster say they hope for a "significant financial uplift" from hosting a Champions Cup game there compared to the 25,6000-capacity Thomond Park. "In addition to this, the larger capacity of Pairc Ui Chaoimh will allow even more people to experience a competitive Munster Rugby European matchday which provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our support base, not just in Cork but right across the southern part of the province," said Munster chief operating officer Philip Quinn. Munster chief executive Ian Costello, who has also served as interim head coach in recent months, said "showcasing a high-profile competitive fixture to a wider audience is a strategic goal of ours and this aligns with the feedback we have received from many of our supporters".He added: "Unfortunately, the December Champions Cup pool fixtures in Thomond Park have experienced falling attendances over the last two seasons and the staging of this game in Pairc Ui Chaoimh offers us the opportunity to accommodate more supporters at that match and improve our financial stability which in the current climate is imperative."Munster secured 2025-26 Champions Cup qualification with a United Rugby Championship win over Benetton last week. They face Sharks in Durban in the URC quarter-finals on 31 May (17:30 BST).
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Munster Rugby chief on decision to move Champions Cup game from Thomond Park
Munster CEO Ian Flanagan says that the Reds will move a Champions Cup game to SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh because of falling attendances at Thomond Park in December. The province has confirmed that it is continuing preparations for hosting pool fixture at the famous Cork venue after securing a place in the tournament last Friday. Munster's final regular season win over Benetton earned the Reds a URC quarter-final against the Sharks on Saturday week and guaranteed the province a place in Europe's premier club competition for a 31st consecutive year. The last European Cup pool game that took place in Cork was in December 2002, against Viadana at the old Musgrave Park (now Virgin Media Park. Munster have recently played sell-out games against South Africa XV and the Crusaders at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh and expect a similar financial upturn by moving a home Champions Cup game to the home of Cork GAA. Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said: 'I would like to congratulate the playing and coaching group for all their hard work in recent weeks in securing two bonus-point wins which resulted in our qualification for next season's Champions Cup. 'This competition is hugely important to us and our supporters, and qualification allows us to continue our preparations for hosting a pool fixture in Cork later this year. 'While we understand that there will be those that are used to seeing our Champions Cup matches in Thomond Park, we feel we have a great opportunity to do something a little different next season. 'A lot of consideration has gone into the decision to move a Champions Cup pool game to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh but showcasing a high-profile competitive fixture to a wider audience is a strategic goal of ours and this aligns with the feedback we have received from many of our supporters. 'Unfortunately, the December Champions Cup pool fixtures in Thomond Park have experienced falling attendances over the last two seasons and the staging of this game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh offers us the opportunity to accommodate more supporters at that match and improve our financial stability which in the current climate is imperative.' Munster Rugby Chief Operating Officer Philip Quinn added: 'As we have seen in recent years, costs related to the running of the professional game, and indeed at all levels across the province, have increased for multiple reasons. Those costs will continue to rise rather than fall. In order to improve our financial stability and ensure we remain adequately funded, viable and competitive, we need to weigh up all opportunities which can result in increases in revenue. 'Based on our forecasts, we believe we will achieve a significant financial uplift from hosting this December pool fixture in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh compared to Thomond Park. 'In addition to this, the larger capacity of Páirc Uí Chaoimh will allow even more people to experience a competitive Munster Rugby European matchday which provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our support base, not just in Cork but right across the southern part of the province. 'We have listened to plenty of supporter feedback from our games against South Africa XV and the Crusaders and we will work tirelessly to ensure the matchday experience is of the highest quality.' A ticket for December's Champions Cup pool fixture in Páirc Uí Chaoimh is included with the various season membership offerings. Remaining tickets will be available once the details of the fixture are confirmed.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Munster 'continue preparations' for December Champions Cup fixture at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Munster are set to play a European fixture in Cork for the first time in 23 years as the province have confirmed they are "continuing preparations" to host a Champions Cup pool fixture at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in December. The province's participation in the 2025/26 next season's Champions Cup was confirmed after securing back-to-back bonus-point wins against Ulster and Benetton to finish 6th in the URC standings. Plans to host a Champions Cup game at the home of Cork GAA next season were "approved in principle" by GAA Central Council back in March. The last European Cup pool game played in Cork was in December 2002, when Munster hosted Viadana at Virgin Media Park, then known as Musgrave Park. Both previous Munster games at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - against the Crusaders and South Africa A - were sell-outs with attendances of over 40,000. The 41,400 attendance for the Munster v South Africa A game in November 2022 was a record crowd for rugby in the province. 'I would like to congratulate the playing and coaching group for all their hard work in recent weeks in securing two bonus-point wins which resulted in our qualification for next season's Champions Cup," Munster CEO Ian Flanagan said. 'This competition is hugely important to us and our supporters, and qualification allows us to continue our preparations for hosting a pool fixture in Cork later this year. 'While we understand that there will be those that are used to seeing our Champions Cup matches in Thomond Park, we feel we have a great opportunity to do something a little different next season. 'A lot of consideration has gone into the decision to move a Champions Cup pool game to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh but showcasing a high-profile competitive fixture to a wider audience is a strategic goal of ours and this aligns with the feedback we have received from many of our supporters. 'Unfortunately, the December Champions Cup pool fixtures in Thomond Park have experienced falling attendances over the last two seasons and the staging of this game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh offers us the opportunity to accommodate more supporters at that match and improve our financial stability which in the current climate is imperative.' Munster Chief Operating Officer Philip Quinn added: 'As we have seen in recent years, costs related to the running of the professional game, and indeed at all levels across the province, have increased for multiple reasons. Those costs will continue to rise rather than fall. In order to improve our financial stability and ensure we remain adequately funded, viable and competitive, we need to weigh up all opportunities which can result in increases in revenue. 'Based on our forecasts, we believe we will achieve a significant financial uplift from hosting this December pool fixture in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh compared to Thomond Park. 'In addition to this, the larger capacity of Páirc Uí Chaoimh will allow even more people to experience a competitive Munster Rugby European matchday which provides a fantastic opportunity to grow our support base, not just in Cork but right across the southern part of the province. 'We have listened to plenty of supporter feedback from our games against South Africa XV and the Crusaders and we will work tirelessly to ensure the matchday experience is of the highest quality.'
