Clubs urged to act sensibly when distributing tickets for semi-final
The battle between Brian O’Driscoll’s and Anthony Foley’s sides will kick-off at 3pm and the tie will be televised by RTÉ and Sky Sports.
The other semi-final, between French champions Biarritz and 1998 Heineken champions Bath, will be played 24 hours earlier at Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastian and will be broadcast on Sky Sports.
Officials from both Irish provinces hope the clubs, who will share the bulk of a guaranteed supply of tickets, will act sensibly in their distribution.
One high ranking official said yesterday: “We all must recognise that some cash-starved clubs will use their allocation as a way of raising funds in a difficult time for the amateur game. But everyone hopes that the genuine fans are looked after, before they resort to organising corporate hospitality events.”
The Munster and Leinster Branches are not in favour of the distribution of these tickets to the corporate sector, but they have no power of veto.
However, fans from the provinces are looking beyond the semi-final in three weeks. Millennium Stadium chief executive Paul Sergeant last night said that 11,500 tickets were sold on Sunday for the May 20 final.
“The two finalists will share at least 15,000 tickets so the best advice I can give anyone who wants to come to the Heineken Cup final is buy your ticket today, because tomorrow could be too late. A lot of the sales over the weekend were from across the Irish Sea and Cardiff is bracing itself for an invasion of Leinster or Munster fans.”
Meanwhile, Biarritz have been tipped to win the tournament, and Leinster have been installed as second favourites by bookmaking firm Boylesports. They quote Biarritz at 11/10, Leinster at 9/4, Munster at 11/4 and Bath at 12/1.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
