Munster still mull over new training site

Munster Rugby are still deciding on the best location for their long-awaited single training base although a decision is due by the end of the month, according to sources.

Former director of coaching, Tony McGahan, and manager Shaun Payne, whose tenures finished at the end of the season, both highlighted the need for a single training base for the Munster squad as one of the priorities for the province’s hopes of future success.

In what has long been a thorny subject to resolve owing to the twin power bases in Munster rugby, players have split their time between the University of Limerick and Cork Institute of Technology for squad training sessions, a set-up that requires many hours of potential preparation time spent on the 112-kilometre road between the two bases.

The Munster Branch is understood to have targeted an announcement about their choice of site by the end of June, although the Irish Examiner understands the selection process has not yet concluded.

A final decision would have been made much sooner had it not been for the economic downturn in 2009 and the continuing recessionary climate has meant a new, purpose-built, greenfield site midway between Cork and Limerick is now believed to be out of the equation because of Munster’s current financial situation — the Branch last week reported a projected deficit for the year ending June of €1.052m.

The shift in thinking now points to the use of existing facilities at Cork IT, UL or even at Limerick IT. There are existing deals in place at CIT and UL, where player groups based in those respective cities train separately during the week in addition to collective squad sessions.

Munster signed a four-year deal in 2011 to use CIT’s facilities in Bishopstown, where pre-season training started on Tuesday for players not on the Irish tour to New Zealand.