Thousands of fans in Limerick for major European rugby clash

Limerick will be at the centre of rugby mania today as thousands of fans converge on the city for the Heineken European Cup quarter…

Limerick will be at the centre of rugby mania today as thousands of fans converge on the city for the Heineken European Cup quarter-final. Thomond Park is the venue for this evening's clash between Munster and French side Stade Francais.

Tickets for the match have been sold out for weeks and thousands of ticketless supporters will be using many of the city's pubs and hotel bars to watch the game.

A musical trail along the route leading to Thomond Park is one of the many highlights of today's pre-match entertainment.

Up to half a dozen pubs from the city centre to Thomond Park will provide musical entertainment for hundreds of fans who will be wetting their tongues after the Good Friday respite.

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Co-ordinating the pre-match entertainment, Mr Nicky Woulfe said fans who arrive early to the game will be able to enjoy the Munster Swing band - a 13-piece band which will perform on the pitch from 3.30 p.m. to 4.40 p.m.

Up to 10,000 red Munster flags will also be handed out to fans arriving at the game, along with 4,000 free Easter eggs.

"Thomond Park will definitely be a sea of red tomorrow and the music will certainly add to the atmosphere," said Mr Woulfe.

"Today's match will also be a very special occasion for Tommy Creamer, who has worked as master of ceremonies at Thomond Park for the last 30 years and who is retiring today," he added.

The voice of Limerick rugby, Tommy Creamer (69) has worked as master of ceremonies at Thomond Park since 1974, making all announcements at the ground over the public address system.

His singing has echoed around the famous ground during all of Munster's important matches in the Heineken European Cup and he has been a favourite with fans for his unique announcement style of team news and match scores.

"I'll definitely miss it but for now I'm preparing for Saturday's big game. I am working on my French pronunciations, " said Tommy, a life-long supporter of Shannon RFC.

With capacity at Thomond Park at just 13,000, ticketless supporters attempting to scale the walls at Thomond Park to gain entrance will be faced with specially erected razor wire.

A Munster spokesman said the wire was erected as a safety precaution.

Many loyal Munster fans are furious that Stade Francais is reported to be bringing only 700 fans to Limerick, despite taking up their full allocation of 3,199 tickets.

It's understood many of the tickets ended up back in London where they have been sold to the corporate sector or to ticket touts. One English company was offering a €20 terrace ticket for €444.92.

Meanwhile gardaí are on the alert for forged match tickets. Garda Sgt Eoin Gogarty, from Mayorstone Garda Station, issued a stern warning to ticketless fans ahead of today's eagerly anticipated match.

"Do not attempt to go near Thomond Park, unless you have a ticket," he said.

"Be aware of forged tickets that may be offered in dimly lit pubs or other locations. Do not go near ticket touts, we cannot rule out the possibility that forged tickets will be on sale. Unless tickets are genuine, people will be refused entry to the ground," warned Sgt Gogarty.