Thomond Park
Encyclopedia
Thomond Park is a stadium located in Limerick in the Irish
province
of Munster
. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union
and count Munster Rugby
, Shannon RFC
and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in 2008.
in 1978.
pavilion was located within the west stand.
Traditionally, the former terracing and four sides of the pitch had local nicknames, however they have since fallen out of local parlance. The most famous of these was the east terrace which was known amongst fans as the "Popular side", this sat opposite the "Stand side", joining the "City End" (South Terrace) with the "Ballynanty
End" (North Terrace). The "Popular side" gained notoriety in local rugby folklore for the colourful comments that can be heard emanating from local wags and alicadoos in the direction of the pitch, occasionally drawing reaction from players and officials, to the amusement of other attendants.
(IRFU) spent several million pounds on floodlighting
, terracing, toilets, medical facilities and a new pitch for the ground. In January 2006, the Munster Branch of the IRFU made offers to buy some adjacent houses to expand the stadium. In March 2006 the IRFU and Munster Rugby announced that Thomond Park was unanimously selected for the site of the branch's new stadium, and in May 2006 the design for the re-development was unveiled. Work started in early 2007, and the project was completed for a re-opening in Autumn 2008.
The principal elements of the project saw the erection of two new stands adjacent to the existing main pitch, with a seating capacity
of 15,100 and terrace capacity of 10,530, or 25,630 in all.
It was thought that Thomond Park would be renamed in a sponsorship deal, following its redevelopment.. However, it was confirmed in February 2008 that the name Thomond Park would remain the same, with naming rights being sold for the individual stands instead.
The home crowd is also famous for its silence when a teams kicker is kicking for goal. This has been known to put the away teams kicker off although it is done out of respect. Munster rugby is said to be one of the most supported rugby teams in the world.
played Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland
and BSC Young Boys
in the European Cup in 1960 and Torino
in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 in Thomond.
The Republic of Ireland national football team
played two international friendlies in Thomond during the construction of the Aviva Stadium
. The first, on 12 August 2009 against Australia drew a crowd just above 19,000. Australia won 3–0. Ireland
played and defeated South Africa
1–0 at Thomond on 8 September 2009 to a crowd of 11,300.
The Irish heats of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games
took place over four days here in June 2010.
On 5 November 2011, the stadium hosted its first ever Rugby League
game when Ireland took on France.
On 28 November 2011, it was announced that Thomond Park would host a 2013 Rugby League World Cup group match.
and Garryowen FC saw 18,000 people cram into the old ground.It has been alleged that unofficial attendances for Heineken Cup
home games involving Munster have been higher than this. There is also a tongue-in-
cheek suggestion that 100,000 attended the historic defeat of the All Blacks
in 1978, a nod to the mythical status the game has ascended to in local folklore. Since the redevelopment, attendance figures have generally averaged near the 26,000 (full capacity) mark.http://www.magnersleague.com/2_14.php
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
province
Provinces of Ireland
Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...
of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
. The stadium is owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
and count Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Munster, that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup.The team represents the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch which is one of four primary branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish...
, Shannon RFC
Shannon RFC
Shannon Rugby Football Club is an amateur rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river. The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch and as one of the top amateur sides in Ireland has seen many of its players progress to...
and UL Bohemian RFC as tenants. The capacity of the stadium is 26,500 following its large scale redevelopment in 2008.
History
The stadium holds a special place in rugby due to its own unique history and atmosphere. The stadium is famed for its noise during play and the complete silence while home and away players are kicking for goal. Munster also retained an intimidating 12 year unbeaten run at Thomond in the Heineken Cup – running from the competition's start in 1995 until 2007 when the Leicester Tigers broke the streak with a 13–6 win. It is at Thomond park that Munster celebrated their 12–0 victory over the All BlacksAll Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
in 1978.
Pre redevelopment
Thomond Park originally consisted of two pitches, the main pitch and a training pitch. The main pitch was bounded on all sides by terracing with a stand located above the west terrace. The training pitch was located behind the west stand with the Shannon R.F.C. pavilion located in the southwest corner of the ground. The UL Bohemian R.F.C.UL Bohemian R.F.C.
UL Bohemian RFC is an AIB League Division 1 rugby club based in Limerick. It is affiliated with the University of Limerick.The symbol of the club is the Red Robin...
pavilion was located within the west stand.
Traditionally, the former terracing and four sides of the pitch had local nicknames, however they have since fallen out of local parlance. The most famous of these was the east terrace which was known amongst fans as the "Popular side", this sat opposite the "Stand side", joining the "City End" (South Terrace) with the "Ballynanty
Ballynanty
Ballynanty, or Ballynanty Beg, is one of the older neighbourhoods on the north side of Limerick City in the province of Munster, in the midwest of Ireland...
End" (North Terrace). The "Popular side" gained notoriety in local rugby folklore for the colourful comments that can be heard emanating from local wags and alicadoos in the direction of the pitch, occasionally drawing reaction from players and officials, to the amusement of other attendants.
Redevelopment
In 1998 and 1999 following the introduction of the professional era the Irish Rugby Football UnionIrish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
(IRFU) spent several million pounds on floodlighting
Floodlights (sport)
Floodlights are broad-beamed, high-intensity artificial lights often used to illuminate outdoor playing fields while an outdoor sports event is being held during low-light conditions....
, terracing, toilets, medical facilities and a new pitch for the ground. In January 2006, the Munster Branch of the IRFU made offers to buy some adjacent houses to expand the stadium. In March 2006 the IRFU and Munster Rugby announced that Thomond Park was unanimously selected for the site of the branch's new stadium, and in May 2006 the design for the re-development was unveiled. Work started in early 2007, and the project was completed for a re-opening in Autumn 2008.
The principal elements of the project saw the erection of two new stands adjacent to the existing main pitch, with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 15,100 and terrace capacity of 10,530, or 25,630 in all.
It was thought that Thomond Park would be renamed in a sponsorship deal, following its redevelopment.. However, it was confirmed in February 2008 that the name Thomond Park would remain the same, with naming rights being sold for the individual stands instead.
Atmosphere
Thomond Park is well known for its unique atmosphere. Visiting teams have said that it is a terrifying place to play rugby due to the home fans. During a rugby match, the home fans can be heard singing songs such as "the fields of Athenry" and "Stand up and fight". These two songs play a vital role in munster rugby as they are Munster's anthems.The home crowd is also famous for its silence when a teams kicker is kicking for goal. This has been known to put the away teams kicker off although it is done out of respect. Munster rugby is said to be one of the most supported rugby teams in the world.
International matches
The following international matches have been played at Thomond Park:| Date | Competition | Home team | Away team | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 March 1898 | 1898 Home Nations Championship 1898 Home Nations Championship The 1898 Home Nations Championship was the sixteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Five matches were played between 5 February and 2 April. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.... |
3 | 11 | ||
| 14 October 1999 | 1999 Rugby World Cup 1999 Rugby World Cup The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland... (Pool 5) |
55 | 19 | ||
| 7 September 2002 | Friendly | 39 | 8 | ||
| 30 August 2003 | Friendly (warm up for 2003 Rugby World Cup 2003 Rugby World Cup The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World... ) |
61 | 6 | ||
| 8 November 2008 | Friendly | 55 | 0 |
Other sporting fixtures
Limerick F.C.Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick...
played Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
and BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
in the European Cup in 1960 and Torino
Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 in Thomond.
The Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
played two international friendlies in Thomond during the construction of the Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road venue, which was demolished in 2007, and replaces that stadium as home to its chief tenants: the Irish rugby union team and the...
. The first, on 12 August 2009 against Australia drew a crowd just above 19,000. Australia won 3–0. Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
played and defeated South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
1–0 at Thomond on 8 September 2009 to a crowd of 11,300.
The Irish heats of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games
2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games
The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games is a sporting event held from June, 25th 2011 - July, 4th 2011 in Athens, Greece. The opening ceremony of the games took place on 25 June 2011 at the Panathinaiko Stadium and the closing ceremony was held on 4 July 2011."Over 7,500" athletes, from 185...
took place over four days here in June 2010.
On 5 November 2011, the stadium hosted its first ever Rugby League
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
game when Ireland took on France.
On 28 November 2011, it was announced that Thomond Park would host a 2013 Rugby League World Cup group match.
Concerts
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
– 6 June 2009 - Rod StewartRod StewartRoderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
– 4 July 2009 - P!nkP!nkAlecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
with guest Butch WalkerButch WalkerButch Walker is an American recording artist, songwriter, and record producer. He was the lead guitarist for the metal band SouthGang from the late 80s to early 90s as well as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Marvelous 3 from 1997 until 2001.-Career:Walker grew up in Cartersville,...
– 20 June 2010 – Funhouse Summer Carnival TourFunhouse Summer Carnival TourThe Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour is an extension of the Funhouse Tour , the fourth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Pink. The tour supported her fifth studio album, Funhouse... - Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
with guests David GrayDavid Gray (musician)David Gray is an English singer-songwriter. He released his first studio album in 1993 and received worldwide attention after the release of White Ladder six years later...
, Seasick SteveSeasick SteveSteven Gene Wold, commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American blues musician. He plays guitars, and sings, usually about his early life doing casual work.-Childhood and early life:...
& Alabama 3Alabama 3Alabama 3 are a British band mixing rock, dance, blues, country, and gospel styles, founded in Brixton, London, in 1995. In the United States, they are known as A3, allegedly to avoid any possible legal conflict with the country music band Alabama...
– 4 July 2010 - The CranberriesThe CranberriesThe Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
– 9 June 2010 (Special Olympics opening ceremony – their first performance in their native city for over 15 years) - JLSJLS- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
- 26 June 2011 with guest Olly MursOlly MursOliver Stanley "Olly" Murs is an English singer-songwriter and TV presenter. Murs rose to fame after being the runner-up on the sixth series of The X Factor...
- JLS TourJLS TourThe second leg of JLS's first headline tour of the UK and Ireland is an arena tour, stopping at major arenas across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The tour was announced in November 2009. This tour will start with seven summer shows before heading to the arenas in December...
Attendances
The highest pre-redevelopment official attendance in Thomond Park came in 1992 when a local derby in the All-Ireland League between clubs Shannon RFCShannon RFC
Shannon Rugby Football Club is an amateur rugby union team from Ireland, they hail from Limerick near the banks of the Shannon river. The club is a member of the Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch and as one of the top amateur sides in Ireland has seen many of its players progress to...
and Garryowen FC saw 18,000 people cram into the old ground.It has been alleged that unofficial attendances for Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
home games involving Munster have been higher than this. There is also a tongue-in-
cheek suggestion that 100,000 attended the historic defeat of the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
in 1978, a nod to the mythical status the game has ascended to in local folklore. Since the redevelopment, attendance figures have generally averaged near the 26,000 (full capacity) mark.http://www.magnersleague.com/2_14.php