Pairc Ui Chaoimh touted as potential host of Munster v Leinster Pro14 Clash

It has been reported by Michael Moynihan of the Irish Examiner this morning that advanced talks are underway that will see the December 28 Pro 14 clash between Munster and Leinster will take place in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

According to Moynihan, Munster Rugby and the Commercial Board of Pairc Ui Chaoimh are in talks about the possibility of hosting the lucrative festive fixture.

The game is currently scheduled to take place in Thomond Park that night but could be switched to the newly redeveloped 45,000 seater Pairc which reopened in 2018.

Were it to go ahead the move would also open the door for larger Champions Cup games being moved to the venue depending on the lure of the draw.

Last February saw the introduction of a rule that grants the GAA’s Central Executive the authority to use county grounds in “exceptional circumstances” for “activities other than those controlled by the association”.

There, GAA Secretary General Tom Ryan said,

“It’s probably not a good thing to be completely restricted in all circumstances. You have to have a little bit of discretion and trust Central Council to exercise that discretion.

We will now have a very clear process and a very clearly defined route to look at these things objectively and calmly, which was the bit that was missing last summer.

However given the controversy surrounding the pitch at the Cork venue last year and confirmation that it was to be relaid during the summer, one has to question the wisdom of allowing a rugby match take place two months before national league games.

See the original article here.