Munster EGM on the cards as ticket row rumbles on

THE Munster Branch may have to bow to demands for an extraordinary general meeting before distributing tickets for the Heineken Cup clash against Stade Francais next month.

But even with several Munster clubs threatening legal action, it's still unlikely that there will be any change in the planned allocation for the quarter-final showdown.

Legal representatives of seven clubs yesterday held up short of seeking a temporary High Court injunction against the Branch on the understanding that management committee would discuss the grievance at a meeting in Cork on Monday night.

The senior clubs in the province have complained because their allocation of tickets has been cut from 225 to 150. One club official expressed dismay at the way the clubs have been treated: "We're the grass roots of the game and it seems that every which way we turn we're being kicked in the teeth.

"Our clubs are full of voluntary workers and the only tangible way these people can be repaid is by organising tickets for them for the big games.

"The IRFU are tinkering with the future of the All Ireland League. Now the Munster Branch are taking away an opportunity that always existed to reward people who dedicate a lot of their free time.

"We have questioned the amount of tickets made available to the Munster Supporters Club and the allocation to Corporate hospitality at the expense of the clubs."

But it appears there is little the Branch can do about the dilemma.

A Branch source made it clear yesterday that nobody wanted a showdown with the clubs: "Unfortunately we're in a no win situation. The facts are that when we go into the Heineken Cup, certain regulations apply and heads of agreement have to be signed.

"Unlike some pool matches, there is a huge interest in this game and part of the deal is that the visiting team has to be given 25% of the available tickets.

"On top of this, ERC and our commercial partners are entitled to another allocation. Every other club has to adhere to these rules before a ball is kicked in the competition."

The source denied that there had been any appreciable increase in the number of tickets available for corporate hospitality.

"When Munster played Bourgoin and Gloucester, we hosted two corporate lunches for close on 700 people. This time the allocation is 720.

"That's just about 5% of the total number of tickets on sale and it's not unreasonable to find ways and means of financing the Branch because we are, after all, in a commercial world where we either sink or swim."

The source referred to the allocation of 2,850 tickets to members of the Munster Supporters Club and stressed: "Basically, this club helps us manage our budgets. The members pay a yearly fee and many of them bulk buy tickets for the Celtic League fixtures.

"The setting up of the club has not affected availability of tickets for previous games and it hasn't affected availability for this one either.

"We have to go back to the fact that Stade Francais have taken up their allocation and that is their entitlement. We went through all of this the other way around last season when we had to fight it out with Leicester Tigers to get our just allocation.

"We would love to cater for everyone but we cannot. There will be no tickets on sale for the general public and that's a pity because the general public have been very supportive over the last couple of seasons.

"The clubs, through their delegates, were informed of our proposals for the distribution of tickets in January. We have been up-front on this one. The figures are open to scrutiny and there is no hidden agenda.

"We're just trying to be as fair as we can in what really is an impossible situation."

Munster coach Alan Gaffney has made four changes from the side beaten by Neath Swansea for their visit to Ravenhill tomorrow in the Celtic League.

Jason Holland returns after injury and Mossie Lawlor moves to the wing at the expense of Shaun Payne. Gerry Flannery is in for the unavailable Frank Sheahan, Tom Hayes replaces Trevor Hogan and David Wallace returns instead of Peter Malone.

The big boost is the return of Wallace after injury while Hayes, brother of Irish international John, makes his first start for the province.

MUNSTER v Ulster: C. Cullen, M. Lawlor, J. Kelly, R. Henderson, A. Horgan, J. Holland, E. Reddan, F. Roche, J. Flannery, G. McIlwham, T. Hayes, D. Pusey, S. Keogh, J. Williams (Capt), D. Wallace. Replacements: J. Blaney, M. Cahill, E. Halvey/D. Ryan, P. Malone, F. Murphy, C. O'Sullivan, S. Payne.