Cork’s loss is Munster’s gain, not really Limerick’s

In response to the emotional letter last Friday by Jimmy Coughlan (Irish Examiner, May 13), I felt obliged to respond as follows:

“To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible.”

Elite sport is all about a series of marginal gains, ensuring every single aspect of preparation is leading edge.

Given the ever widening financial imbalance with the English and French clubs, Munster Rugby must ruthlessly pursue every possible angle to achieve success if it aspires to compete at Europe’s elite level again.

As a Cork man it saddens me that Munster Rugby has decamped to Limerick.

However, as a Munster fan I know that this change contributes to higher standard of preparation and moves us one step closer to renewed success.

On that basis, I salute them for making the correct decision.

Of course, there is a risk that the bond between the team and the people of Cork will get diluted and Munster Rugby must now redouble its efforts to find new ways to connect such as playing more matches in Musgrave Park, increased investment in youths/schools rugby locally, etc.

The target here is not Limerick, it is the likes of Saracens and Racing Paris.

If the move to UL moves us closer to beating those teams, then as a proud Cork man I will continue to cheer Munster.

Sometimes good things have to come to an end, so that even better things can start to happen.

Pat Cooney

Rathgar

Dublin 6