Páirc Uí Chaoimh to host Champions Cup semi-final, should Munster enjoy last-four home advantage

Munster are in last-16 action this weekend away to Northampton Saints

Tue, 02 Apr, 2024 - 23:06

Eoghan Cormican

Should Munster reach this season’s Champions Cup semi-finals, and were to find themselves in the very unlikely situation of having home advantage, the last-four clash will be played at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The home of Cork GAA being handed over for a European Rugby semi-final on the weekend of May 3/4/5 was announced at Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors Cork county board meeting.

Munster are in last-16 action this weekend away to Northampton Saints, bidding to reverse the 26-23 pool defeat from mid-January.

Victory at Franklin’s Gardens this Sunday would set up a quarter-final clash away to either Vodacom Bulls or Lyon.

Spectators watch on as a lineout is contested during the international rugby friendly match between Munster and Crusaders at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Munster’s 14th seed means that to secure a home semi-final they would need 15th seeds Leicester Tigers to emerge from a four-team channel that includes champions La Rochelle, Leinster, and the DHL Stormers.#

SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is free of GAA activity on the Champions Cup semi-finals weekend of May 3/4/5. The Cork hurlers play their Munster SHC Round 2 game against Clare at home on April 28 and then return to the Ballintemple venue to host All-Ireland champions Limerick on Saturday, May 11.

The most recent rugby game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh was February’s Clash of Champions fixture between Munster and Crusaders.

A survey analysis of the behaviours and spending habits of supporters at the stadium revealed the capacity crowd of 40,885 who attended the game resulted in €5.6m going back into the local economy through total direct expenditure, with a €3.7m economic impact generated by visitors to the city.