Thomond Park – Travelling to the Game?

Munster kick off their 2008/09 Heineken Cup campaign hosting French outfit Montauban at Thomond Park Stadium on Friday night.

Fans travelling to the game are advised to come early and allow themselves plenty of time for travelling to the game.  We would also ask fans to respect the residents in the surrounding areas and park in a responsible manner, avoiding obstructing residential homes and access/egress points.  We would also ask people not to litter, and to behave in a responsible manner when arriving and leaving the stadium.

There are no tickets available for purchase.  Ticket Collections will be available from 5pm from the Ticketmaster vehicles at Hassett’s Cross.

Bus Eireann are providing a shuttle bus service to Thomond Park departing from Henry St. in the city centre.  This service will operate from 6pm to 8pm, a nominal fee will be charged on board.  Please use public transport where possible.

The turnstiles will open at 6pm, with kick off at 8pm.

Match Programmes
Fans wishing to purchase match programmes are advised that programmes will be sold from the following locations while stocks last.  Programmes cost €5 each.  Please note that the main sales points are outside of the ground, so fans are encouraged to purchase before they go through the turnstiles.

Sales Points
1. Hassett’s Cross (outside the Red Gate)- before you enter the turnstiles
2. Inside the ground at the South East corner
3. Behind the West Stand- before you enter the turnstiles
4. Inside the ground at the North East corner
5. At Reception, in the East Stand (East Stand ticket holders only)

Four mobile sellers will also be moving around the terraces and the levels on the Stand levels.

Munster Flags
Keep an eye out for the Munster flags being distributed inside the ground before the game.  Why not bring along a flag you got at a previous game and help turn Thomond Park RED for this opening game of the competition.

Entertainment
Early arrivals will be able to enjoy the pre match entertainment at the stadium, which will kick off at 7.15pm approx.  We are delighted to welcome the Band of the 1 Southern Brigade to Thomond Park for the first time, and welcome back Cara O’Sullivan who will perform for the Munster faithful in this first Heineken Cup game at the revamped stadium.  The Munster Rugby Supporters Club members will form a guard of honour for the two teams when they run out onto the pitch. 

Soak up the pre-match atmosphere in the basement bar of the East Stand from 6pm – avoid the rush to the Stadium and make Thomond Park your meeting point with plenty of space and bars in both the East and West Stands.

The Official Munster Rugby flagship Store is also now located in Thomond Park, check out the new store, all the Munster Rugby merchandise and all it has to offer, located next to the main Thomond Park reception in the East Stand.

Mascot
The mascot for Friday’s game is ten year old Nicole Downes from Caherdavin in Limerick.  She is a fifth class pupil in Caherdavin Girls School and is a huge fan of Doug Howlett!

Stewards will be on hand to offer you assistance.  Please follow their directions.

The below is a stadium plan, outlining the different turnstiles, blocks and sections.