Fitzgerald bullish on future

Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald is confident the province is making the right moves towards emerging from the economic downturn and staying competitive on the European stage despite the greater riches being enjoyed in France and England.

As the Munster Branch AGM at UL Bohemian’s Thomond Park clubhouse saw UL Bohs’ Mick Goggin installed as branch president for 2014-15, the headline figures from the annual report for 2012-13 pointed to more financial doom and gloom.

Poor season ticket sales, reduced RaboDirect Pro12 gate income and behind-budget retail sales contributed to a cash-flow deficit of €800,000 for 2012-13. Yet the green shoots of recovery are the underlying reasons for Fitzgerald’s optimism that in a new era for European club rugby, Munster are still on target to break even in 2015-16.