Munster to play in Páirc Uí Chaoimh due to low first-round attendances in Thomond Park

CEO Ian Flanagan says 'there is a lot of rugby at that time of year', with many Munster supporters attending three internationals in Dublin in November

Munster Rugby set a new attendance record for the 2022 game against South Africa Select XV — the first rugby match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Now Munster is set to play a European fixture in Cork for the first time in 23 years. Picture: Ben Brady/Inpho

Declining attendances for opening round games in Limerick was a driving force behind Munster’s first Champions Cup pool game this season being scheduled for SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, the chief executive of Munster Rugby has said.

Speaking to business journalist Emer Walsh on the latest episode of the ieBusiness Podcast, in association with PwC, Munster Rugby chief executive Ian Flanagan said the club expects to have a significant attendance in Cork, noting strong ticket sales for the first game of the competition against Gloucester on December 13.