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Munster Rugby AGM Financial Update

3rd June 2015 By Munster Rugby

Munster Rugby AGM Financial Update

The Munster Branch Annual General Meeting took place at Cork Constitution FC last night with club representatives from around the province in attendance.

In line with expectations, Munster Rugby announced a deficit of €;400,000 for the financial year ending June 30th 2015, down on last year’s loss of €;600,000.

Munster Rugby Financial Controller Philip Quinn said a number of positive factors contributed to the forecasted deficit reduction; increased revenue from Commercial Board initiatives, additional support from the IRFU, as well as income from the knockout stages of the Guinness PRO12.

Quinn went on to state, “We continue to face significant financial challenges especially in the context of player retention given the financial strengthening of both the French and English clubs with their new broadcasting deals”.

Quinn confirmed that ticket sales for the regular season matches – 3 European and 11 PRO12 – increased by 1.6% which is the first increase in a number of years. Attendances grew by 3.2% which was primarily driven by attendances at the newly redeveloped Irish Independent Park. This increase is despite the fact that Munster were knocked out of Europe prior to the final home Champions Cup game, which had a significant impact on ticket sales for the said match.

There was further positive news regarding Irish Independent Park. Following its completion on time and within budget, the Cork venue has staged four Guinness PRO12 games, an Ireland Wolfhounds v England Saxons clash – in January – and just recently hosted a number of the annual Sciath na Scol hurling and camogie finals, the first GAA event to be held at the stadium. The summer continues to be busy and diverse in nature at Irish Independent Park with Katherine Jenkins & Jose Carreras set to perform there on June 20th.
The recently completed project represents a long term commitment to Cork.

On the Limerick front, it was reported that work on the training centre in UL has commenced with a view to being completed in time for the 2016/17 season from where it will become province's sole training base.

Quinn and Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald met with media prior to the meeting with Quinn answering questions on the issue of player recruitment, stating that financial constraints are not a determining factor in the recruitment and retention of players.

“The whole house of cards falls if you don’t put your money into your players.

“Every year we will look at what we need to put into the player side of things. We will highlight those who are critical to retain, which is the majority of our squad. We will do everything we can to retain them and we have been very successful on that front.

“When we have been out trying to recruit the overseas players it has been tough but it hasn’t been financially that we’ve fallen down at times. We’re always at the mark financially.”

When asked about the departure of Paul O’Connell from the province, Fitzgerald said,

“Paul has been a huge bonus for us in Munster; particularly as a person, as an individual, as a leader and, following on, as a rugby player. He’s given everything to Munster so I’m sure it’s now an opportunity for us to thank him but also an opportunity for someone else to step into the breach and step into that leadership role. I’m sure someone will grow into it now that there’s a void there after Paul’s departure.”

Also on the night, Bertie Smith of Cork Constitution FC was elected President of the Munster Branch for the incoming season. Read more about the new President by clicking here.

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