ERC Show Scant Regard For Munster Supporters

The decision by the ERC to again schedule a Munster away game on a Sunday shows scant regard for the loyalty and commitment of their support base, says former international and Munster star Donal Lenihan in today’s Irish Examiner.

ERC have announced that the Bourgoin versus Munster Round Five match set for Geneva will be played on Sunday 14th January with a 2pm kick-off (local time).

The decision to play the game on the Sunday has been greeted in Munster circles with disappointment and appeals to ERC have met with failure, ERC citing television demands as the reason for the timing and date of the fixture.

Speaking about the decision Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, “We are very disappointed with the decision to play this game on the Sunday and have expressed that disappointment to ERC. Given that we agreed to a change of venue at Bourgoin’s request, we feel particularly aggrieved that Munster supporters are now being asked to incur considerable extra expense on a wholly unsuitable day for those who wish to undertake the journey. Sundays are far from ideal for travelling support yet Munster supporters find themselves having to do so for the third successive away pool match.

“We have asked ERC to review the decision but have been informed that there will no change. We accept the conditions laid down in the Participation Agreement but maybe we need a clause in it concerning the welfare of players and supporters”