Pubs to open early for rugby decider
Limerick District Court judge, Eamon O’Brien, has agreed to an application by the city’s pubs which will permit them to open at 10.30am on Sunday, two hours before usual opening time, to accommodate the thirst of the rugby hordes.
The game kicks off at Thomond Park at 1.45pm. It is a sell-out, with Ulster taking their full allocation of 6,400 tickets in the 27,000-capacity stadium.
Limerick publicans leader Jerry O’Dea made the application at Limerick District Court for early pints conversions in city pubs.
“It gives us an extra two hours in the morning because the match is an early one and we are hoping to facilitate the visitors who are coming to the city for the big game. We would like to have our doors open and Limerick needs a boost like this.”
Publican Patrick Kelly of Charlie Malone’s in Wolfe Tone Street, said the decision will make the day more comfortable.
“If we were restricted to the usual Sunday opening times, it would be a mad rush. Now the fans will have time to relax and enjoy a drink before heading for Thomond Park.”
And greyhound fans visiting Limerick over the Easter holiday will also be able to have a drink on Good Friday, as the city’s greyhound stadium is holding a meeting that night during which bars will be open.
Greyhound stadiums are exempt from the Good Friday drink restrictions and the bars at the Dock Road venue will open at 6.30pm and close at 11pm.
Limerick hit the headlines two years ago when the city’s bars got permission to open on Good Friday for a Munster v Leinster game at Thomond Park.
