Munster hoping to avoid Good Friday showdown
Munster earned the right to a home quarter-final after finishing as top seeds following their 100% return from the pool stages, completed in thrilling fashion last Saturday with a 51-36 win at Northampton Saints.
The quarters are scheduled for the weekend of April 6, 7 and 8, the first date falling on Good Friday. Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald told The Irish Examiner, however, the province would prefer to play the all-Irish encounter at Thomond Park on either of the other dates available.
“That’s something ultimately ERC’s decision, but we would hope the game will be played on the Saturday or Sunday,” Fitzgerald said. “We have recommended we not play on Good Friday. At the end of the day it’s up to ERC and the television companies how they schedule the quarter-finals but we have made our recommendation.”
If Munster are forced to play the game on Good Friday, the decision would make a big dent on the potential economic impact of such a prestigious game for the local economy, which ERC last week revealed was worth €10.5m for the 2009 quarter-final between the province and Ospreys at Thomond.
There was uproar among Limerick publicans the following year when the Magners League game between Munster and Leinster was scheduled for Good Friday, leaving bars in the city and surrounding suburbs unable to serve alcohol on big match day until a district court judge granted them a special exemption to open between 6pm to 11:30pm.
There are other concerns on the pitch, however, with Munster director of rugby Tony McGahan warning of the threat Brian Mclaughlin’s side pose, even if they will be on the road. “We’re certainly aware of the of the sort of challenge Ulster will provide and recognise the quality they have in their squad,” McGahan said.
“To come out of the group they were in was one thing. But to produce the performances they did, especially that win over Leicester Tigers in Ravenhill, shows exactly what a good side they are. And their performance at the weekend in Clermont indicates they are comfortable on the road and won’t be at all fazed by having to travel for the quarters.”
Meanwhile, ERC last night reported a surge in ticket sales for the 2012 Heineken Cup final at Twickenham on May 19 following the finalisation of the quarter-final line-up at the weekend. The tournament organisers said almost 2,000 tickets had been sold in 24 hours yesterday, taking sales for the London showpiece close to 35,000.
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