Limerick to score €10m windfall with French connection

Limerick is preparing for a tasty €10m economic French dressing as thousands of Toulouse supporters throng the city today in advance of the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Munster in Thomond Park tomorrow.

Limerick Chamber of Commerce CEO Maria Kelly said: “We did an economic impact study which showed that big games at Thomond Park are worth around €10m to the local economy.

“But this game will be worth in excess of this, due to the huge numbers of people who will be staying over on Friday night and Saturday night. It is also the first time for this huge side, Toulouse, which means we will have more French visitors than ever.

“Toulouse have taken up their full allocation of 3,000 tickets. Every hotel bed in the city has been booked and the whole place will be buzzing on Saturday morning in the hours prior to the game, as the City of Culture have organised up to 30 different street entertainment events.”

Sean Lally, general manager of The Strand Hotel, said he will have 400 guests over the weekend.

Mr Lally said: “This is huge: A quarter final against Toulouse. I have never seen the demand for accommodation that we have had.

“We even had to turn away the Toulouse team. The agent who usually books the French sides with us contacted us. But once the quarter-final fixtures were known, we were booked out very quickly. Our four function rooms have been fully booked for pre-match corporate hospitality.

“The Saturday fixture is great as our 100-plus French guests are coming in on Friday night and staying over on Saturday night as well. We will have up to 100 staff on duty on Saturday and the kitchen will be going full throttle under head chef Tom Flavin.”

Thomond Park general manager John Cantwell has to ensure that everything is ready for the teams and the 26,000 fans who will pack the stadium

Mr Cantwell said: “It will be jammers with Toulouse. We will have a stadium staff of over 900 on duty.”

Today, the 16 stadium bars were being fully stocked, as were corporate areas where stadium caterers Masterchef serve sit-down meals to 1,500 guests.

Head groundsman Nick Grene and his team have ensured playing conditions will be perfect.

Mr Cantwell said fans will be able to view the Grand National after the game as it will be shown on over 100 TV locations in the ground.