Peter Burke
Rugby is often called unique from a supporters view. Opposition fans can easily, and without fear of violence, happily chat and drink pre and post games which cannot be said for some big sports.
In Ireland we have 4 provincial rugby teams and among them, Munster, has a proud and passionate history in the game in Europe and the URC or indeed iterations of. However in recent times, or years according to a few, issues have risen their head among the supporters and it is apparent after the Exeter game. The following are comments made directly by Munster fans and the folks in charge would do well to listen, afterall it is the fans that buy the tickets that fund the game:
“I’ve been a Munster supporter for more than 40years. I remember going to a Munster v Leinster game with around 200 to 300 supporters there. If there is a big one off match the crowd turns up. Munster have 2 grounds, Connaught and Ulster have 1 and Leinster have none. The powers to be need to go back to its roots, stop talking about using the GAA grounds and redeveloped a winning team. Connaught have managed to avoid been dumped to becoming more competitive and developing the showground. This Cork v Limerick bs needs to stop or this crap of Cork forming their own team needs to go, or Munster will be the team the IRFU will drop”
“The issue as I see it is money. We simply can’t compete against the top teams in Europe. Bath, Exeter French clubs all have open cheque books and can by world class players! Until that is fixed if ever we may as well not compete. Look at Van Grann did nothing with us goes to bath sings top players won their league and the European cup how can we compete with that! The game has moved on we have not!”
“The people at the top don’t give a fuck they will have all expensive paid no matter were they play only putting a wedge in between supporter that was never there so stop playing in to there hands yes there is a bit of a lull at the moment but that will change in an instant blink and u will miss it , Munster will all ways be there as the supporters”
“The kick off times in Thomand are often in the evening which means you wont get home to Cork til around Midnight. Costs of hotels in Limerick on match days are extortionate, so that seriously impacts on the Cork fans wishing to travel to a game. Plus the Cork to Limerick road is an absolute disaster!!”
“The lack of support is because the team is unsuccessful, simple , years ago when we were winning Heineken cups a ticket could not be had . Munster became popular to follow , and those fair weather fans have now disappeared. I agree management has been shocking for years . Connacht and Ulster have rejuvenated themselves but Munster seem incapable of. Something is wrong and it’s not the manager or players . Something rotten there, has been for years . It’s an awful shame , we are on the brink now .”
“There has to be an investigation/audit into the way munster rugby has been run over the last number of years. There was a new head coach coming in and someone in munster rugby thought it was a good idea to appoint coaches who would be working under him.People have been saying its jobs for the boys. Also the finances is a huge issue.”
“Toxic …and all the service that players like Axel Foley put into the province.”
“Obviously can’t say too much. But during the Munster game in a certain GAA grounds in cork a few months ago. The Alakadoos partied like the beastie boys free gratis. That’s what the wagon is for them. They don’t care until the wheels fall off the wagon, well hello after today’s game against Exeter the wheels are well and truly off the wagon”
“The whole underage set up and how we develop young players has never been good. And no attemp to change/fix it. How can you build a house if you don’t have a good foundation.”
This is just a taste of the many comments made after a somewhat disappointing performance against Exeter and Munster now find themselves with just the URC to compete in for silverare.
Irish rugby needs a strong Munster team for the sake of the National squad and the provincial fans – what the solution is I don’t know but the fans have spoken loud and clear.