Munster Financial Worries

by red_stag Thu 23 May 2013, 1:13 pm

First topic message reminder :

Having seen todays news that Munster are changing sponsorship from Toyota's €2,000,000 per year down to about a million per year with new sponsor Bank of Ireland I had intended to do a quick write up of a worrying financial situation in Munster Rugby.

I've seen though on one of the forums another like minded fan has already done so in a more articulate way than I could. I've included his article below and I share the concerns he raises.

"Munster are in financial difficulty – there is no more beating around the bush about it. Previously these financial issues were something that were buried deep in notes and sub notes of the IRFU annual accounts yet now they are looming large for all fans to see.

The main issue we are now seeing is that these financial issues are now impacting the on-field activities of Munster Rugby. We have seen players go on loan to save costs, we no longer have a scrum coach due to financial reasons, we are struggling to compete with our HEC competitors for signings (will we even use all our NIQ spots next season?) and last season we were outside our day to day budget by over 1 million euros. It also looks like the new jersey sponsorship deal will result in a drop of over 750k per annum as well. Jim Williams spoke out years ago about the madness of a players training separately in two different bases, Tony McGahan supposedly had it written into his contract that the training base issue would be addressed yet it seems it was huge financial pressure not the best interests of the playing squad that forced the decision to chose UL.

Sending experienced players, on what one has to assume are high provincial level wages, on loan is a smart tactic and was used last season when the day to day running costs first became an issue. It became apparent it was required again this season and it meant that we had to register an extra scrum half for the knock out stages of the HEC instead of a ready made impact player like CJ Stander. Paul MacCarthy is someone who I was very critical of previously but to be fair to him the Munster scrum has made huge improvements in the last two seasons. We are now entering a new era how scrums will work. No longer is it about the timing of the hit but with the new rules of binding before the second rows join it means a much greater emphasis on the technical demands of the props and the scrum as a whole. Munster are now left to work on these new rules with no scrum specialist. Paul Mac’s wages may have been paid by MRSC funding but the simple fact is that Munster have decided that they need to make cuts and this is one of them.

We have one stadium in Limerick that we can’t afford repayments on and yet due political issues we are looking to upgrade a second stadium? In 2007 a loan of 11.5 million euro was taken out by the branch from the IRFU to pay for the MB’s half of redeveloping Thomond Park. I can’t find much on how they intended to pay off this loan apart from the 10 year tickets. Munster have consistently failed to meet the repayment schedule since 2008 and in some years didn’t even make a payment. Currently that loan stands at 10.3 million euro and according to the IRFU annual accounts Munster should have repayed 4.3 million by April 2013. Given the current climate I really can’t see an appetite for a further sale of 10 year tickets and given our already poor financial status I would argue that the IRFU would be likely to get 100% control of TP in the very near future (IRFU loan is due in full by 30th April 2017).

In my opinion this mess really started with the redevelopment of Thomond Park. This is not about Cork versus Limerick but about the financial model that would be used going forward from that point in time. At the time the Supporters Clubs had somewhere in the region of 8k members and a so called promise from to extend full membership to 10k MRSC members. Now from a financial point of view that would have made a lot of sense. A 26k stadium and 10k fans who at the start of the season would stump up a membership fee and pay for their League and Cup season tickets. Instead the politics of Munster rugby took over and the clubs wanted to keep their “exclusive” chicken and chips in a basket HEC gameday fundraisers. Little did they realise that the 26k would cope with demand for all but a few games and that the real corporate clients and those willing to pay money for dinner and drinks would be served by Munster Rugby themselves in the new corporate facilities. The clubs couldn’t expand their chicken in a basket fund raisers and the branch continued to ignore the full revenue potential of the supporters club.

This mess is part driven by the current economic climate but it also has an awful lot to do with internal branch politics. To me it seems like a lack of strong leadership to sort out these internal issues and they have now been forced into action purely due to the financial position Munster are in. The fact that despite the need for a 1.5/2 million euro cut in day to day costs over 2 seasons(1 million loss last year and the change in sponsorship deal), the Thomond Park loan that we are unable to service, Munster continue to spend money on redeveloping a second stadium that limits income due to size is just a crazy decision.

The really sad thing is that brains trust have committed the cardinal sin of allowing off field matters affect on field resources and either people need to fix this very very quickly or step aside and ensure that people who can make these changes are appointed in their place."

I can't but help agree. Munster's decision making has been extremely poor mainly plagued by politics. I think our digital marketing has been very poor in comparison with Leinster who do the whole social media scene better than we do and our lack of interest in the Pro 12 isn't acceptable in terms of putting bums on seats. Above all else we have been tinkering around with our dual training centres and developing two stadia.

I worry for our future financially.

by red_stag Fri 24 May 2013, 11:09 am

DOD wrote:Well RS looks like you are getting lots of whinging Cork people (nothing new there). However the concerns are valid. Its not either/or with Limerick no one in Cork views it like that (wish I could say the same for some of the Limerick crowd). If the branch don't get it sorted soon we will be in even more trouble...

Interesting info Sin é.

DOD again not sure I follow you. I think Cork based fans have legit concerns. I would not like it if shoe was on the other foot.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 11:20 am

Sin é wrote:
red_stag wrote:We have one stadium in Limerick that we can’t afford repayments on and yet due political issues we are looking to upgrade a second stadium?

According to a report last week in the Examiner on Thomond Stadium Ltd (link supplied on that thread on Munsterfans):

The accounts disclose that the company received a capital contribution in the amount of €8.9m from the Munster branch of the IRFU in the form of a forgiveness of a long-term liability.

From that I would glean its the IRFU who are in deep Poopie (probably with the Aviva) and have called in their loan on Thomond Park.

November international prices are down so maybe they arent struggling so bad? As long as they dont try to sell the 6N to Sky I dont care.

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 11:25 am

I think a big part of somewhat of a solution is a future Cork / Limerick motorway.

It's a joke and a disgrace that the 2nd and 4th biggest cities in the country are still not linked by a motorway in 2013.

If there was a motorway you'd be looking at a 2 hour round trip to training / matches in Limerick which is no worse than the distances covered by players / fans in the Premiership getting to Old Trafford / The Emirates or their training facilities.

When I lived in London it would often take more than an hour to get from home to a match and nothing was thought of it.

Get JP or some other moneybags to invest in a motorway and it'll go a long way to helping the Cork / Limerick situation.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 11:28 am

MunsterMac wrote:I think a big part of somewhat of a solution is a future Cork / Limerick motorway.

It's a joke and a disgrace that the 2nd and 4th biggest cities in the country are still not linked by a motorway in 2013.

If there was a motorway you'd be looking at a 2 hour round trip to training / matches in Limerick which is no worse than the distances covered by players / fans in the Premiership getting to Old Trafford / The Emirates or their training facilities.

When I lived in London it would often take more than an hour to get from home to a match and nothing was thought of it.

Get JP or some other moneybags to invest in a motorway and it'll go a long way to helping the Cork / Limerick situation.

How long does the train take? Why cant Munster rugby team up with Irish rail on game days?

by Kingshu Fri 24 May 2013, 11:51 am

MunsterMac wrote:I think a big part of somewhat of a solution is a future Cork / Limerick motorway.

It's a joke and a disgrace that the 2nd and 4th biggest cities in the country are still not linked by a motorway in 2013.

If there was a motorway you'd be looking at a 2 hour round trip to training / matches in Limerick which is no worse than the distances covered by players / fans in the Premiership getting to Old Trafford / The Emirates or their training facilities.

When I lived in London it would often take more than an hour to get from home to a match and nothing was thought of it.

Get JP or some other moneybags to invest in a motorway and it'll go a long way to helping the Cork / Limerick situation.

I don't see how the the Belfast to Derry motorway link is relavent to Munster?

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 11:59 am

How long does the train take?

My fleeting encounters with rail travel in this country has not engendered a desire for a long term relationship with Irish Rail.

Journeys take far too long and ticket prices are beyond a joke.

by red_stag Fri 24 May 2013, 12:04 pm

I dont think there is a Cork to Limerick train.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 12:05 pm

red_stag wrote:I dont think there is a Cork to Limerick train.

There goes that idea.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Fri 24 May 2013, 12:06 pm

red_stag wrote:I dont think there is a Cork to Limerick train.

http://www.visitingeu.com/western-europe/ireland/2009/08/trains-from-limerick-to-cork.html

Trains from Limerick to Cork are an easy way to travel to the south of the country when you are visiting Ireland.

Rail services depart regularly from Limerick train station. They arrive at Cork train station via Limerick Junction. All services are run by Irish Rail on InterCity trains.

Trains from Limerick to Cork leave every hour at peak times, so you can travel whenever is convenient for you.

The journey time on these trains, including the change at Limerick Junction, ranges from 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours and 50 minutes.

by red_stag Fri 24 May 2013, 12:10 pm

That is far from easy. You'd be much quicker driving.

What they mean is that there is a train from Tipperary to Cork.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 12:11 pm

There ya go. Why dont Munster rugby just ring up Irish rail and charter a load of non stop express trains with a train/match ticket package every match day make a big feature of it. Big Munster Cork supporters club train outing. Could be legendary.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Fri 24 May 2013, 12:11 pm

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:
red_stag wrote:I dont think there is a Cork to Limerick train.

http://www.visitingeu.com/western-europe/ireland/2009/08/trains-from-limerick-to-cork.html
Trains from Limerick to Cork are an easy way to travel to the south of the country when you are visiting Ireland.

Rail services depart regularly from Limerick train station. They arrive at Cork train station via Limerick Junction. All services are run by Irish Rail on InterCity trains.

Trains from Limerick to Cork leave every hour at peak times, so you can travel whenever is convenient for you.

The journey time on these trains, including the change at Limerick Junction, ranges from 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours and 50 minutes.

I'm guessing that's longer than driving? Reminds me of university - getting home (Blenheim) in school hols involved either a 3 1/2 hour drive, or 5 hours by coach or train. Which is why the Crusaders don't like to take too many games away from Chch - Nelson is the 2nd biggest city in the region, and that's 5 /12 hours drive or 50 minutes flight from Chch

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 12:30 pm

Thomond Park Stadium is a drain on Munster's finances (which is what you would expect from having redeveloped the new stadium).

Some serious cost-cutting was needed (which will have been achieved losing Howlett, ROG, Strings, Horan, Wian as well as a lot of younger lads).

I don't think Strings was sent on loan to save money - he wanted to go to get gametime.

Friday, May 17, 2013
Munster are set to name a new main shirt sponsor, the province said yesterday, on a day the Thomond Park Stadium Company Ltd reported its operating profits had almost halved last year to €354,000.

The Munster chief executive also confirmed the province would not be facing a touring Test side this November, further bad news for Thomond Park operators TPSCL, who hosted an Ireland XV v Fiji game at the Limerick stadium last autumn, and in previous years have welcomed New Zealand and Australia to the venue.

In addition to the 42% drop in operating profits from €612,000, revenues at TPSCL decreased by 19%, €500,000, from €2.65 million to €2.15m in the 12 months to the end of June 2012.

Stadium Director John Cantwell yesterday attributed the drop in operating profits to reduced number of Munster games at the stadium last year, Munster having failed to secure as home semi-final and subsequent final in the RaboDirect Pro12 competition.

He said revenues were also hit by no concerts at the stadium last year as opposed to two in 2011.

After loan interest payments of €332,000 and non-cash depreciation charge of €1.38m are taken into account, the firm’s post-tax loss increased by 36% from €992,000 in 2011 to €1.35m in 2012, although Cantwell said the post-tax loss was in line with budget.

“We are satisfied with the financial performance of the company for the year ending June 30, 2012 and despite the challenging economic environment we achieved a cash-flow break-even,” the stadium manager said.

Bruce Springsteen is performing at the stadium this July and Cantwell added: “We are still in negotiations to host a potential concert in August and possibly a high-profile soccer match in July.”

Explaining the absence of concerts last year, he said: “Due to the economic climate no major concerts were held outside Dublin during this period as concert promoters concentrated all activity in Dublin due to population density.”

The stadium is an economic driver for Limerick city and Cantwell said: “Based on independent research, the direct economic benefits to the local economy from events and matches staged at Thomond Park for the year up to end of June 2012 is estimated at over €60m.”

Cantwell highlighted “the effective cost control management of the company during difficult commercial conditions” in the past year and in relation to the current year and beyond, said: “We would expect revenue to be slightly down in 2013 due to the fact there were only 10 Munster matches in the stadium in 2012/13 as the Heineken Cup quarter-final was away from home.

“We need to maintain attendance levels for Munster matches and attract other events to the stadium such as other sporting events, concerts, conference and events, and additional matches.

“The business model is dependent on attracting non-rugby events and the economic benefits that are delivered to Limerick and the region from these events is significant and essential.

The accounts disclose that the company received a capital contribution in the amount of €8.9m from the Munster branch of the IRFU in the form of a forgiveness of a long-term liability.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/m...al-231566.html

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 12:36 pm

Its a shame re Thomond Park. I have also always found it quite daft that in Ireland we are unable to embrace the municiple statdium concept that seems to work well in France.

Do we really need seperate stadia for rugby and Gaelic. Lets face it we do not.

by LeinsterFan4life Fri 24 May 2013, 12:39 pm

Isn't Thomamd also hosting a rugby league game in the world cup against Australia? That should also bring in money.

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 12:40 pm

[quote="GunsGerms"]

Sin é wrote:
red_stag wrote:We have one stadium in Limerick that we can’t afford repayments on and yet due political issues we are looking to upgrade a second stadium?

According to a report last week in the Examiner on Thomond Stadium Ltd (link supplied on that thread on Munsterfans):

The accounts disclose that the company received a capital contribution in the amount of €8.9m from the Munster branch of the IRFU in the form of a forgiveness of a long-term liability.

From that I would glean its the IRFU who are in deep Poopie (probably with the Aviva) and have called in their loan on Thomond Park.

November international prices are down so maybe they arent struggling so bad? As long as they dont try to sell the 6N to Sky I dont care.

Yes, they are down - because they know if they didn't bring the prices down, they wouldn't sell as many tickets.

The IRFU are soon going to have to try and sell a load of 10 year tickets to fund the Aviva - that isn't going to be easy. Looks to me but there seems to be cost cutting everywhere (fewer central contracts etc). Conor Murray just signed what looks like a 1 year extention to his Munster contract - couple of years ago he would have been on a fairly decent central contract as the starting scrumhalf. None of the outhalfs next season will be on a central contract which is fairly amazing.

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 12:42 pm

I wouldn't be including Irish Rail in any big plans to sort out the Cork / Limerick dilemma. Train travel in this country is a joke.

A motorway on the other hand would make a huge contribution not only for those in Cork City but also for those along the route.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 12:45 pm

Well you cant put Sexton on a central contract because he is not playing in Ireland. The other two options only have a few caps between them. Whoever between Madigan and Jackson really puts their hand up for selection will surely get one in a year or so.

by UlstermaninGlasgow Fri 24 May 2013, 1:20 pm

MunsterMac wrote:I wouldn't be including Irish Rail in any big plans to sort out the Cork / Limerick dilemma. Train travel in this country is a joke.

A motorway on the other hand would make a huge contribution not only for those in Cork City but also for those along the route.

That is something I still can't get over when I come back from Scotland. Everyone here complains about the public transport but you can get from Glasgow to London in around 4 and a half hours by train, and if you buy early for under 25 quid! Considering it's 400 miles that's not bad if you take into account that Iarnród Éireann take 2 hours 30 to do 130 miles! And that's with a private company, not a nationally funded company!

With all the investment into the roads it's shocking that there's been no real investment into a decent rail service for the whole Isle of Ireland. Imagine linking up places like Eniskillen, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, Letterkenny, Cork, Derry properly could do for the economy!

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 1:31 pm

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:
MunsterMac wrote:I wouldn't be including Irish Rail in any big plans to sort out the Cork / Limerick dilemma. Train travel in this country is a joke.

A motorway on the other hand would make a huge contribution not only for those in Cork City but also for those along the route.

That is something I still can't get over when I come back from Scotland. Everyone here complains about the public transport but you can get from Glasgow to London in around 4 and a half hours by train, and if you buy early for under 25 quid! Considering it's 400 miles that's not bad if you take into account that Iarnród Éireann take 2 hours 30 to do 130 miles! And that's with a private company, not a nationally funded company!

With all the investment into the roads it's shocking that there's been no real investment into a decent rail service for the whole Isle of Ireland. Imagine linking up places like Eniskillen, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, Letterkenny, Cork, Derry properly could do for the economy!

That would be cool alright but maybe the demand isnt there.

Donegal is the only county in Ireland without a rail link so the network isnt terrible.

by **Notch** Fri 24 May 2013, 1:38 pm

The powers that be in Ireland are coming out with things like this...

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/local-groups-will-pay-to-fix-their-potholes-in-new-scheme-29281883.html

And you guys are talking about new motorways? Maybe if Munster kick in 50% of the cost...

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 1:39 pm

With all the investment into the roads it's shocking that there's been no real investment into a decent rail service for the whole Isle of Ireland. Imagine linking up places like Eniskillen, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, Letterkenny, Cork, Derry properly could do for the economy!

The problem is we just don't have the population to service a proper modern rail service.

In fact we don't have a big enough population to service a proper domestic economy hence why exports are so important to us and the likes of HMV and Wickes end up having to leave and half the population have been sucked into Dublin.....but I digress from rugby...apologies...

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 1:41 pm

MunsterMac wrote:
With all the investment into the roads it's shocking that there's been no real investment into a decent rail service for the whole Isle of Ireland. Imagine linking up places like Eniskillen, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, Letterkenny, Cork, Derry properly could do for the economy!

The problem is we just don't have the population to service a proper modern rail service.

In fact we don't have a big enough population to service a proper domestic economy hence why exports are so important to us and the likes of HMV and Wickes end up having to leave and half the population have been sucked into Dublin.....but I digress from rugby...apologies...

Thats not why HMV closed down. Pirate Bay is to blame. In any case I heard they will be reopening their Grafton St shop.

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 1:44 pm

The powers that be in Ireland are coming out with things like this...

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/local-groups-will-pay-to-fix-their-potholes-in-new-scheme-29281883.html

And you guys are talking about new motorways? Maybe if Munster kick in 50% of the cost...

Is this a late April Fools joke?

Can someone remind me why I'm paying Road and Property Taxes?

by asoreleftshoulder Fri 24 May 2013, 1:52 pm

MunsterMac wrote:

Is this a late April Fools joke?

Can someone remind me why I'm paying Road and Property Taxes?

To fund the bank bailout.

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 2:14 pm

asoreleftshoulder wrote:
MunsterMac wrote:

Is this a late April Fools joke?

Can someone remind me why I'm paying Road and Property Taxes?

To fund the bank bailout.

... so Bank of Ireland can sponsor Munster Smile

it just goes around in circles.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:16 pm

If €1m is all it costs to sponsor Munster Im surprised that other local big businesses like Fexco or Kerry group arent chomping at the bit to sponsor Munster. Seems strange.

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 2:18 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Well you cant put Sexton on a central contract because he is not playing in Ireland. The other two options only have a few caps between them. Whoever between Madigan and Jackson really puts their hand up for selection will surely get one in a year or so.

Don't expect any of the outhalfs to be on a central contract ... but I'd expect Murray to have got one at this stage as he is first choice with no competition.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:20 pm

Murray might not have any competition but he is still consistently one of our weakest players. How many central contracts are up for grabs?

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 2:33 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Murray might not have any competition but he is still consistently one of our weakest players. How many central contracts are up for grabs?

Murray has just earned 50K for the IRFU for just getting selected for the Lions.

As many as the IRFU can afford! At the moment:
Healy, Best, Ross, POC, Ryan, DOC, POM, Heaslip, Trimble, Earls, D'Arcy, BOD, Bowe, Kearney (14).

Think I have everyone there.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:43 pm

Some dead wood there isnt there?

Yes Murray got picked for the Lions and fair deuce to him. I hope he rips sh1t up and it is the making of him.

I have a funny feeling Philips is going to be the man of the series though.

How much does Murray get for playing for the Lions do you know?

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 2:45 pm

GunsGerms wrote:If €1m is all it costs to sponsor Munster Im surprised that other local big businesses like Fexco or Kerry group arent chomping at the bit to sponsor Munster. Seems strange.

Massive competition in Munster for sports sponsorship from the GAA. Which reminds me why Munster would want to be very careful of keeping a bit presence in Cork.

Aidan Walsh (Cork gaa player) put a photo of himself (red top) with Sam Warburton (and a few others). Aidan Walsh dwarfs Warburton. I'd say Aidan Walsh would make a great centre (bearing in mind where plays for Cork).

https://twitter.com/Aidan9Walsh/status/336813005205536768/photo/1

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 2:47 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Some dead wood there isnt there?

Yes Murray got picked for the Lions and fair deuce to him. I hope he rips sh1t up and it is the making of him.

I have a funny feeling Philips is going to be the man of the series though.

How much does Murray get for playing for the Lions do you know?

It will be interesting to see if Sexton & Phillips gels - both like to run the show and both are fairly spiky individuals.

Think Murray (all players) gets 40K plus various bonuses.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:48 pm

Always thought Bernard Brogan would make a good centre and Dessie Dolan a good out half.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:50 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Always thought Bernard Brogan would make a good centre and Dessie Dolan a good out half.

Id say Ciaran McDonald could have been a good rugby player too.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 2:51 pm

[quote="Sin é"]

GunsGerms wrote:It will be interesting to see if Sexton & Phillips gels - both like to run the show and both are fairly spiky individuals.

It will. In some ways Youngs might suit Sexton better, who knows. I do think that Murray and Sexton have not really gelled.

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 3:03 pm

GunsGerms wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Always thought Bernard Brogan would make a good centre and Dessie Dolan a good out half.

Id say Ciaran McDonald could have been a good rugby player too.

Lots of good gaa players would have made it - thought Walsh though could compare in size to any of the Welsh backs!

by Kingshu Fri 24 May 2013, 3:03 pm

Anthony Tohill would have been great as well, the ones picked for Australian Rules or International Rules would all do a fine job in Rugby.

But then I bet Panye would have been a great GAA player.

by brennomac Fri 24 May 2013, 3:11 pm

Sin é wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:If €1m is all it costs to sponsor Munster Im surprised that other local big businesses like Fexco or Kerry group arent chomping at the bit to sponsor Munster. Seems strange.

Massive competition in Munster for sports sponsorship from the GAA. Which reminds me why Munster would want to be very careful of keeping a bit presence in Cork.

Aidan Walsh (Cork gaa player) put a photo of himself (red top) with Sam Warburton (and a few others). Aidan Walsh dwarfs Warburton. I'd say Aidan Walsh would make a great centre (bearing in mind where plays for Cork).

https://twitter.com/Aidan9Walsh/status/336813005205536768/photo/1

Kerry Group haven't shown much inclination to sponsor anybody other than the Kerry GAA team and some local events like bike races in Kerry - and in general the big co-ops seem more interested in GAA sponsorship - e.g. Glanbia sponsoring the Kilkenny and Waterford hurling teams. Surprised that big Munster consumer companies like Musgrave (Supervalu, Centra etc) haven't shown some interest but then the sort of money involved is going to put a lot of companies off.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 3:16 pm

What about Fexco? They have a former Ireland rugby international, Dick Spring on their board!

by MunsterMac Fri 24 May 2013, 3:17 pm

Ryanair?

Not a Munster conpany but founded by and named after a Tipp man.

God knows they have the money.

by SecretFly Fri 24 May 2013, 3:21 pm

Ryanair?

They'd charge Munster for the sponsorship...

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 3:26 pm

GunsGerms wrote:What about Fexco? They have a former Ireland rugby international, Dick Spring on their board!

Most their market would be in the US or Asia.

You'd think Kerry Foods would be the ideal sponsor with their markets in the UK & Europe.

I think Bank of Ireland will do well out of the connection to rugby in Ireland, particularly being the sponsor of 3 of the top teams in European rugby.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Fri 24 May 2013, 3:27 pm

SecretFly wrote:Ryanair?

They'd charge Munster for the sponsorship...

And play themselves a round of applause at the end of each match that Munster win*

* a win being defined as: a win, a draw, or a loss by 7 points or less. Yes I've flown on RyanAir flights that have touched down at destination "early"

by SecretFly Fri 24 May 2013, 3:41 pm

Early touchdowns are their Passenger Heatlh Initiative in action. Lets you stretch your legs to get to where you really want to be Wink

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 3:43 pm

I think one Tony Ryan's sons is (or used to be) the major shareholder of London Irish.

by GunsGerms Fri 24 May 2013, 3:53 pm

Patrick and John Collison could spare a few bob. They wouldnt be a bad bet.

by Sin é Fri 24 May 2013, 4:00 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Patrick and John Collison could spare a few bob. They wouldnt be a bad bet.

Have a look at some of Munster's commerical board. If this lot couldn't do better than BofI, the country must be well feiced.

Commerical Board Members:
Niall FitzGerald: Chairman, Hakluyt & Company Ltd (former Chairman & CEO of Unilever & Reuters).
Patrick Coveney: CEO, Greencore
David Cronin: CEO, UL Foundation
Leslie Buckley: Chairman, Independent News and Media.
Tony Keohane: CEO, Tesco Ireland
Ken Murphy: COO, Alliance Boots

by SecretFly Fri 24 May 2013, 4:05 pm

Well, whose money is Bank of Ireland using to sponsor Munster anyway?

Shouldn't it be the IMF on those jerseys next season? Merkel Inc? Deutsche Bank? Samaritans?

by whocares Fri 24 May 2013, 4:07 pm

Greencore, world's largest sandwich manufacturer. could not go wrong!

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