Latest news with #ThomondPark
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).
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Irish international Burns among Munster departures
Fly-half Billy Burns will leave Munster at the conclusion of the 2024-25 former Gloucester player joined the province last summer after spending six seasons with Ulster. The 30-year-old has won seven caps for Ireland having made his debut against Wales in 2020. Munster, who will be under new head coach Clayton McMillan next season, have also confirmed that Scott Buckley, Patrick Campbell, Liam Coombes, Jack Daly and Cian Hurley will depart Thomond Park once the season has had previously been announced that Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, David Kilcoyne and Stephen Archer are also in their last seasons with the face Edinburgh on Friday evening knowing that victory will secure their spot in the United Rugby Championship play-offs and next season's Champions Cup.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Feels like Ibiza' jokes Jessica O'Mahony as she gives Instagram followers tour around husband Peter's garden
PETER O'MAHONY'S wife Jessica suggested the last few days of sunshine had made the back garden "explode into life". Ireland has been graced with sunny weather contributing conveniently towards the O'Mahony's prized garden. 2 Jessica O'Mahony gave Instagram followers a tour of the family's garden 2 She revealed an addition she doesn't think O'Mahony will be pleased with On Wednesday, mum-of-three Jessica went to a local garden center which she said "feels like Ibiza". And on Thursday, she gave her Instagram followers a tour of their garden, including an addition she made herself. Jessica posted a video in which she gave fans an up close look at a potted collection of sun-flowers. Although her rugby legend husband may not be best pleased, with Jess joking that he would come home to say "our colour scheme is purple and green and you're after getting white". Read More on Peter O'Mahony Peter O'Mahony is with Munster as their prepare for the visit of Benetton in the United Rugby Championship. The Irish province host the Italian club in Cork this weekend, a week on from their final Thomond Park game of the season. That was also the The former two will be retiring at the end of the season while the latter will be moving abroad. Most read in Rugby Union O'Mahony marked it in style, with a He was substituted shortly after and was greeted with a standing ovation from the supporters. Watch Peter O'Mahony's teammates play hilarious prank on him in dying moments of Thomond Park farewell The 35-year-old sent a thank you message to fans on He said: "Thank you Thomond Park "My kids were thrilled (& shocked!) that I 'finally' scored a try" Ian Costello's men will round out their regular season United Rugby Championship campaign against Benetton. And that is where O'Mahony's focus lies, as he added: "Looking forward to the match in Cork on Friday." Archer, like O'Mahony, will be retiring at the end of the season, Ahead of Friday night's game, their former teammate He said: "These guys know it is their final Thomond Park outing and three lads who have given an incredible amount to the jersey and they take great pride in that. "They love representing Munster, in particular at Thomond Park. "Three Ireland internationals leaving at the same time, obviously two Lions and the club all-time record appearance holder. "They have left a huge imprint on this club. "They have had some incredible days and in particular in that fine stadium that is Thomond Park and they will love nothing more than to beat that Ulster team tonight. "They take great pride in the interpros so if a loss was to happen, that would be catastrophic. "You would like to know there will be a big performance from the men around them to give them the send off they deserve and they can draw on that Thomond Park atmosphere and really enjoy the occasion. "It is a special one and it will be very different after this week so I wish them the best."
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Munster stick with winning formula for vital visit of Benetton
As expected, Munster have retained the same starting XV and an unchanged 23-man squad from last week's bonus-point win over Ulster at Thomond Park for Friday's must-win final match of the URC regular season against Benetton at a sold-out Virgin Media Park (kick-off 8pm, live on TG4 and Premier Sports). This means, of course, there will be a suitable sense of occasion for the final appearance on Munster soil of the retiring Cork duo Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer, who are both named in the starting team. In another landmark, Jean Kleyn will also make his 150th appearance for Munster in front of the 8,800 capacity crowd, while the ever-present Tom Farrell will start his 25th game of the season. The match will also mark the final appearance on a Munster ground of Conor Murray before his move abroad next season, as the multi-capped, multi-decorated provides the backline cover alongside Sean O'Brien in a reprise of a 6-2 bench split. Munster go into the final weekend of the regular season occupying the eighth and last place for both the play-offs and next season's Champions Cup, level with Benetton on 46 points but with the Italians ahead by dint of having won more matches. READ MORE Hence, a win of any kind will ensure Munster secure a place in the quarter-finals and in next season's Champions Cup. However, a defeat will likely see Munster miss out, as ninth-placed Cardiff are also on 46 points but behind on points difference. They play the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday evening (kick-off 6pm Irish time) while Edinburgh, in 10th on 44 points, host Ulster on Friday (kick-off 7.35pm Irish time, live on Premier Sports). Benetton come into this crunch game on the back of an impressive bonus point win by 33-7 over the champions Glasgow and also name an unchanged starting XV. They do make two changes among their replacements by recalling experienced prop Tiziano Pasquali and the Pumas outhalf Tomas Albornoz to replace Giosuè Zilocchi and Leonardo Marin on a bench also featuring the former All Blacks and Munster centre Malakai Fekitoa. The long-serving duo of Andrew Warwick and Kieran Treadwell are in line for their final appearances in an Ulster jersey in Hive Stadium. Richie Murphy has made one change to the front row which started against Munster last weekend, with Tom O'Toole name at tighthead prop, while Treadwell's recall means Cormac Izuchukwu moves to blindside flanker. The is one change in the backs, with South African winger Werner Kok replacing Robert Baloucoune. Munster Rugby: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (C); Peter O'Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O'Brien, Alex Kendellen. Benetton: Rhyno Smith, Ignacio Mendy, Tommaso Menoncello, Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu, Jacob Umaga, Alessandro Garbisi; Thomas Gallo, Siua Maile, Simone Ferrari, Scott Scrafton, Federico Ruzza (C), Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone. Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Mirco Spagnolo, Tiziano Pasquali, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Nicolò Casilio, Tomas Albornoz, Malakai Fekitoa. Edinburgh Rugby: Wes Goosen, Darcy Graham, Matt Currie, James Lang, Harry Paterson, Ross Thompson, Ali Price, Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D'arcy Rae, Marshall Sykes, Sam Skinner, Ben Muncaster, Hamish Watson, Magnus Bradbury (C). Replacements: Paddy Harrison, Boan Venter, Javan Sebastian, Glen Young, Jamie Ritchie, Charlie Shiel, Ben Healy, Mark Bennett. Ulster: Michael Lowry, Werner Kok, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak, Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Iain Henderson (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, David McCann. Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, James McNabney, David Shanahan, Aidan Morgan, Stewart Moore.
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Craig Casey ‘gutted' to miss out on Lions selection but focusing on avoiding ‘inconceivable' Munster failure
CRAIG CASEY is putting his Lions snub behind him to make sure Munster do not miss out on the Champions Cup next year. Thomond Park ace Casey was not one of the 38 chosen for this year's Australia tour, with After missing this year's Six Nations campaign with a knee injury, And although the Limerick native knew his chances of making the squad for the ten-game tour — which begins on June 20 in the Aviva with a Test against Argentina — were slim, he admitted that not hearing his name called out still hurt. He said: 'I definitely wanted to be there. I am gutted to be honest. "You're waiting, hoping for your name to be called out, and then it went straight to Elliot Daly, that's when you know because of the alphabet.' Read More On Irish Sport Casey also said he watched the squad announcement alone out of choice. He revealed: 'I was actually with all the lads, we had just finished the captain's run and we were out for lunch. 'I was like, 'Nah, I'm rushing home'. They were like, 'Ah, stay'. I was like, 'Not a hope am I watching it with all ye dopes!' 'My parents and my girlfriend were working, so I said I'd watch it in a room by myself. And then I stayed in that room by myself for 2½ hours after that!' Most read in Rugby Union The nature of rugby means that Casey may well be one injury away from a Lions reprieve. But having seen his own hopes ruined by one, he would never wish for that. Shocking moment enormous brawl breaks out in rubgy league after 'horrendous hit' He said: 'I have just come off the back of an injury, so I wouldn't wish injury on any of the three scrum-halves that have been picked. They are really good players. 'I presume there will be a standby list at some stage but I have no idea how it works. 'I would like to think I'd be in contention if something did happen but again I'm probably not really in control of that. 'It's just about putting my best foot forward for Munster and being ready if something does happen.' And that means beating Benetton on Friday to secure a URC play-off spot and Champions Cup qualification for next season. Currently eighth in the table, a bonus point should be enough although nothing will be certain until all games are played. No Munster team has ever missed on competing in Europe's premier club competition, and Casey is well aware of the high stakes. He continued: 'Munster and the Heineken Cup and the Champions Cup, it's something — we have no choice — we have to be there to be honest. 1 Pictured at the C11 Recovery partnership announcement with Munster Rugby at Thomond Park, Limerick Credit: Inpho 'The pressure is on this weekend like we've all touched on here. It would be inconceivable not to be there. 'Our job is to win. Every time you put on a Munster jersey, the only thing you're thinking about is winning. 'So if we start thinking about the other games while we're on the pitch, it's going to go drastically wrong so we've got to think about what we need to do.' IRISH brand C11 Recovery is proud to announce Munster Rugby's Craig Casey as the newest official ambassador for the global recovery company. This partnership marks a key step in C11's continued growth as a leading provider of elite recovery equipment for athletes and organisations worldwide.
