Recession hinders Munster chief’s search for sponsor

Heineken Cup qualification is not the only battle Munster have on their plate this weekend after chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald confirmed the two-time European champions are still searching for a new shirt sponsor for next season.

Speaking exclusively to the Irish Examiner as the Munster team prepare for a make-or-break European pool tie in Edinburgh on Sunday, Fitzgerald said current shirt sponsors Toyota Ireland, whose brand name has adorned the province’s jersey since 2004 and was front and centre for both Heineken Cup victories in 2006 and 2008, were “unlikely to remain as our primary sponsor”.

Toyota’s current deal, a three-year extension signed in the summer of 2010, expires at the end of this season and was worth €5.75m, with the car company’s total backing of Munster amounting to more than €13m over nine years.