Quick decision expected on Thomond Park

A DECISION on the future of Munster rugby’s home at Thomond Park will be made by the IRFU “sooner rather than later” it was learned last night.

Plans to redevelop the ground into a 26,000 capacity venue, which is owned by the IRFU, hinge on agreement being reached with householders in the vicinity of Thomond Park.

Offers have already been made to the property owners directly concerned - believed to be double the market value of their premises - and a deadline has been set for acceptance or refusal of those offers.

If agreement cannot be reached by the time that deadline runs out, then it is understood that the IRFU may then begin to look for a greenfield site on which to build a new stadium.

“The offers are on the table, but time is an issue here and if they are not accepted by the time the deadline runs out, then they will be withdrawn and alternative proposals will then be looked at,” one source said last night.

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne says that one of the downsides to the IRFU plans as they currently exist, is that if the union cannot assemble the property necessary, then they will not work.

It is understood, however, that plans for the redevelopment of Musgrave Park by the Munster branch, who still own the property, remain on track whatever happens with Thomond Park. It is not yet clear where any alternative venues might be.

In the meantime, Irish international and Lions second row Paul O’Connell will take no part in the three day national squad training session this week.

The Irish squad came together yesterday but O’Connell was a mere passive participant. The big second row damaged a hand in Munster’s 14-13 victory Llanelli at Musgrave Park on Friday evening and awaits the result of a medical scan.

It is possible that O’Connell has broken a bone but that will not be confirmed until today at the earliest.

His Munster second row colleague Trevor Hogan, who won two caps on Ireland’s trip to Japan in the summer, was called in as a replacement.

Meanwhile, young Robert Kearney, the Irish Examiner Rugby Sports Star of the Year award winner last season, was also called up as a replacement for David Humphreys who picked up an ankle injury in Ulster’s Celtic League victory over Gwent Dragons at the weekend. It is not believed that the injury is serious.

For their part Ulster enjoyed a stunning smash and grab raid against the Dragons. Their win sees them maintain their top spot in the Celtic League and their 100% record.

The Dragons roared to a 16-0 lead just after the break, but in the 48th minute it all fell into place for Ulster. With total dominance up front and a massive performance from Wallaby Justin Harrison, they stormed to their second victory in the Principality.

Young centre Andrew Trimble continues to impress with a great eye for a gap and his 30-metre sprint to the line from an Adam Larkin break got Ulster on the scoreboard. A brace of tries just at the right time gave Ulster a lead 10 minutes from the end which they never looked like surrendering. Elsewhere, a third defeat on the trot leaves Connacht firmly at the foot of the table.

Borders have been the whipping boys of this league and nobody could have assumed their improvement would have allowed them give Connacht a man advantage, but that is what transpired after Samoan number 8 Semo Sititi was red-carded in the eighth minute for flooring scrum half Tom Tierney.

The home side were ahead 15-7 at the break, but lost outhalf Paul Warwick on 22 minutes.

A series of missed kicks by replacement David Slemen were crucial as Borders’ scored a try through Nikki Walker and Charlie Hore’s penalty 13 minutes from time sealed it.