DIVISION 1A

The prospect of Ian Madigan leaving Leinster for Munster may excite supporters in the southern province but head coach Anthony Foley believes both he and the player in question have more pressing concerns this week.

Munster target their 100th European Cup victory at Allianz Park, the home of Saracens, tomorrow — and do so as underdogs: writes Charlie Mulqueen.

It seems a little early to be manning the barricades and demanding your comrades go once more into the breach but with Saracens coming to Thomond Park on Friday night, that is exactly what Munster need to do to keep their Champions Cup campaign on track.

Munster are set to name a new main shirt sponsor, the province said yesterday, on a day the Thomond Park Stadium Company Ltd reported its operating profits had almost halved last year to €354,000.

Munster winger Simon Zebo admitted the squad was buzzing after Sunday’s 33-0 Heineken Cup victory over Edinburgh in Thomond Park which brought an end a three-match losing streak.

Ian Keatley is under no illusions of the task ahead in his first Heineken Cup start at out-half in Thomond Park tomorrow afternoon.

The people of Limerick and Munster are not racist, French soccer star Gael Clichy tweeted yesterday.

MANY a stat has been trotted out to highlight Leinster’s run of exemplary form but most notable is the fact that, with the Six Nations looming, their Irish internationals have yet to taste defeat on provincial duty this season.

THOMOND Park is worth the equivalent of 565 full-time jobs to the Limerick economy where it gives business to more than local 40 suppliers.

REVENUES at the company that operates Limerick’s €40 million Thomond Park increased last year by 40% as the firm recorded a post-tax loss of €1.5 million.

MUNSTER scrum-half Conor Murray may have come to rugby late but he is wasting no time making his mark on the sport.

THOMOND Park has given a boost to the Limerick economy equal to an industry employing 565 full-time workers since it opened in October 2008.

THOMOND PARK cannot help but stir memories and while Ospreys at least have a good one to recall, the sight of Paul O’Connell warming up for action tomorrow may well remind the Welshmen of a darker hour in Limerick.

THOMOND PARK chiefs last night revealed they may again cover the pitch with 140 bales of straw to ensure the pitch is playable for Munster’s Heineken Cup clash with Ospreys on Sunday.

IT’S the spiritual home of Munster rugby and although much has changed at Thomond Park, the name will remain the same.

THE European Rugby Cup’s decision to fix Munster and Northampton’s crucial Heineken Cup Pool One showdown for Friday night has been slammed by both clubs.

Shannon will be at home to Garryowen in an all-Limerick semi-final next week in the AIB League Division One.

THOMOND PARK is set to stage its second international soccer friendly after it was announced yesterday that the Republic of Ireland will face World Cup hosts South Africa in a friendly on Tuesday, September 8.

TALK of a looming recession hasn’t deterred big spenders from scrambling to buy corporate space at the revamped €40 million Thomond Park, which opens next month.

HE WAS a hard and uncompromising hooker in his playing days, and Pat Whelan was brooking no argument yesterday on the merits of selling the naming rights of Thomond Park.

Cork Constitution reclaimed top spot in Division One as they ran four tries past Dolphin in a 27-18 derby win at Musgrave Park today.

The plan for the redevelopment of Thomond Park has been unveiled by the Re-Development Committee.

THOMOND PARK is to remain the headquarters of Munster rugby.

IT was the day the Munster pack were to be torn apart in the scrums, when the scrummaging shortcomings of John Hayes would be mercilessly exposed.

AIB ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE RESULTS:

FIRST things first. Thomond Park is NOT closing down.

Shannon 24 Blackrock 11, Thomond Park