In munster branches defence they were under huge pressure to up the quality of the games on offer in cork.

Attendances were poor there last season in a venue they should fill.

I suppose its a compliment in some ways and i knows the cork fans are happy to have you on their fixtures.

A sizeable chunk of Connacht fans would be easier to hear in a smaller venue, for sure.

On the question of their Musgrave record, it's not looking good for us. They haven't lost in Musgrave since the 2007/08 season.

They only play 4 or so games a year in Cork, and of course because they're the low interest games Munster are usually far too strong, so it makes sense that they have a good record. The losses in 2007/08 were to Blues, Leinster and Warriors, who they'd normally play in Thomond, but that year it was being rebuilt.

We've only played in Musgrave three times in the history of the Magners/Pro12, two losses and one high scoring 27-27 draw

An alternative way to s[pin this would be to try and get the southern Connacht ex-pat community to all head to the game in green. With any luck the ratio of Connacht -> Munster fans could be improved.

ummm, wrote: Munster have just confirmed we WILL be travelling to Cork. Absolutely shitty way to treat Connacht fans.

Agreed. But on the Pollyanna-ish side of things, is Munster's record (in general, I know we haven't beaten them away in a millenium) any worse in Musgrave?

Also, moving the game to Sligo would be shooting ourselves in the foot, it's the Christmas holiday home game.

2011/12 21,030.... TP
2010/11 19,835... TP
2009/10 25,291... TP
2008/09 26,043... TP
2007/08 musgrave park 6,125...

I WENT in 10/11 and here were plenty of connacht fans, and from watching tv in 11/12 there were also a good bunch there. this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I'd be in favour of that except for we'd be mistreating our own ST holders on top of getting out own back. And we need the cash from a Sportsground full house more than they need the cash from a Musgrave Park match. They have us where they want us.

If we want to show our displeasure we simply refuse to travel.

ummm, wrote: Munster have just confirmed we WILL be travelling to Cork. Absolutely shitty way to treat Connacht fans.

im not to bad, have girlfriend in ucc so ill have place to stay.
BUT for munster to add another 2hours to travell to cork is 100% pure knobs. as much as i want games in galway maybe this time playing in sligo would be just good enough for them

Munster have just confirmed we WILL be travelling to Cork. Absolutely shitty way to treat Connacht fans.

4Dogs - Cool, we need to have a full fixture list before we can do out our plan of attack for the season.

Rossie: Not really our area to suggest fixtures but I will pass along the suggestion. The players will probably not like it to be honest... more work and all.

European Fixtures

The fixtures, dates and kick-off times for the first four rounds of the 2012/13 Heineken Cup will be announced on THURSDAY next, 26 JULY. at approximately 12.00 noon (UK and Irish time).

ummm, wrote: I doubt it works like that to be honest. It's probably not possible to ensure all A teams that are playing at the same time would be at home when the seniors are away, there are so many different things at play.

The ERC decision takes a while, lots of TV schedule horse trading to be done.

On the contrary, only 4 of the 32 teams in the B&I Cup - the Irish ones - have to be scheduled in this way. I think you'll find when the fixtures come out that the horse trading (at least in terms of what w/e the teams play home/away in the HEC) was already done before the B&I announcement, which then went out first to give the competition a half chance of some publicity.

Borders no.2 wrote:

swift4prez wrote: Connacht Eagles British & Irish Cup Fixtures 2012/13

w/e 12/14th Oct Newport v Connacht

w/e 19/21st Oct Connacht v Newcastle

w/e 7/9th Dec Cross Keys v Connacht

w/e 14/16 Dec Connacht v Cross Keys

w/e 11/13 Jan Newcastle v Connacht

Sat 19th Jan Connacht v Newport

I wonder can we take from this that our first HC game will be at home, 2nd away etc., heard it would be announced next week so be good to get the full lowdown of the season.

I doubt it works like that to be honest. It's probably not possible to ensure all A teams that are playing at the same time would be at home when the seniors are away, there are so many different things at play.

The ERC decision takes a while, lots of TV schedule horse trading to be done.

ERC are now saying:

Dates & KOs for Heineken Cup (Rds1-4) will be announced by @ercrugby on Thurs, 26 July, approx 12noon

Slightly off subject but probably not worth a thread on its own but i was watching the highlights of the JP Morgan 7s from the stoop antd thought it would be a wonderful yearly season starter in the sportsground to have an interpro 7s tournament. Some of the Main sponsors and Tg4 would no doubt love to be on board and it would be a great 3 or so hours entertainment while giving connacht rugby even greater exposure during the Holiday season.
It would fit in lovely at the end of July just before the pre season friendlies kick in. I dont know how the board would feel about it but perhaps the Clan commitee could suggest it at their next meeting with them for next preseason?

+1

Watched that live last Friday. Pissing wet night but they still got 7000 through the gates and it looked good on tv. We should definitely be looking at this.