Faithful fans to greet team
Kidney’s men crushed cup-favourites Toulouse 16-13 on Saturday to give Munster their second Heineken Cup victory in three years.
The heroes of Cardiff will hold aloft the Heineken Cup from a dais at the junction of the city’s South Mall and Parnell Place.
The team are due to make their way on stage at around 8pm after an hour-long civic reception hosted by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Shannon at Cork City Hall.
Fans waiting in South Mall and Parnell Place for Munster’s finest are to be entertained by musicians.
On Sunday 40,000 fans who flocked to Limerick to roar their appreciation saw New Zealand trio Rua Tipoki, Lifeimi Mafi and Doug Howlett perform the All Blacks’ traditional Maori Haka war dance in the city.
“We reckon we’ll get 20,000 to 40,000 Munster fans in Cork for the victory celebration,” said Cork City Council spokesman Chris Dorgan last night.
“Of course it all depends on the weather but we’re preparing for a big crowd to greet the victorious Munster team.”
Stewards and gardaí will be on patrol to marshal the crowds and ensure public order as Cork goes Munster rugby mad.
Traffic diversions will be in place from 2.30pm today with no traffic allowed northbound along Parnell Bridge.
All city centre roads will be affected by closures and diversions from 7pm when no-entry signs are erected.
The Black Ash park-and-ride bus will run until 9.30pm to accommodate crowds but the service will stop at Eglinton Street by the City Hall from 2.30pm instead of Lapp’s Quay.
Motorists are advised that parking will be banned from 1pm along South Mall and Parnell Place.
Parking in South Mall will be banned between Morrison Street and Parnell Place in both directions.
No cars will be allowed to park in either direction in Parnell Place between South Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street.
“Clamping and tow-away will be enforced rigorously in the event of parking violations,” said Mr Dorgan.
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