Decision to pull Munster Rugby training from Cork is bad for business and fan base
Of course, all things being equal, it is best practice to have one training base, but all things are not equal. Unlike the other provinces, Munster has two major playing population centres and in such circumstances, best practice would be to develop these two centres equally and not favour one over the other.
What was once a 50/50 split for the past 100 years is now at best 95/5 which can only lead to a wavering of support and player production over the coming years in the Cork area.
It should not be forgotten that over half of the clubs in Munster are based in Cork.
From a purely commercial point of view, no other business would potentially cut itself off from 50% of its marketplace. If you approached Leicester Rugby Club and told them that overnight you could double their hardcore fan base and all they had to do was split training and matches 50/50 with Nottingham, they would bite your hand off, any club or business would. Yet Munster are doing the exact opposite.
This is not a Cork issue, it is a Munster Rugby issue and now that the decision has been made, steps must be taken to lessen the negative impact. It is important that there is a more equal split of games to include both an Interprovincial and European game a year.You will not create a buzz around Munster Rugby in Cork if there are only four games a year, six months apart and not against top teams.
The short-term reduction in revenue would be offset by maintaining and growing the Munster fan/player base in Cork in the long term. In any event, the erection of temporary stands and imaginative corporate initiatives would lessen the impact in this regard.
If the current situation prevails, there is a danger in 15 years or so that not only will the link with Munster be diminished in Cork but that the link with rugby will be, and the only pro team around will be “The Limerick Munsters”.
Regards
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