Feasibility study will decide the future of Thomond Park

THOMOND PARK’S future as the home venue for Munster’s Heineken European Cup matches isn’t a whole lot clearer after yesterday’s statement by the Munster Branch Development Committee.

It simply announced “the appointment of ARUP Consulting Engineers to conduct a feasibility study in the Limerick area with regard to the provision of a 26,000 capacity rugby stadium. In addition to Thomond Park, the potential of three other sites, including Limerick University, will be assessed and a recommendation made to the Munster Branch, IRFU Development Committee within six weeks.”

For obvious reasons, Thomond Park remains the preferred option for all in Munster, but the IRFU hierarchy won’t be swayed by sentimental concerns.