Thomond Park will be open in time for Munster's first Heineken European Cup home encounter (October 29nd), the IRFU have confirmed. The famous rugby ground was forced to close three weeks ago after vandals dug up hundreds of sods of turf causing up to €20,000 worth of damage.

The damage, carried out in broad daylight by two men wearing hoodies, ran the length of the pitch and resulted in the cancellation of a number of fixtures due to be played at the Limerick venue.

Gardaí are still hunting those responsible for what has been described as a "mindless act of vandalism". CCTV footage and a note left at the scene by the vandals may help the authorities in their hunt for the culprits. A garda spokesman said the investigation was "progressing at pace".

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the IRFU confirmed yesterday Thomond Park is set reopen on October 22nd, one week ahead of Munster's first European Cup encounter against French side Castres. "Work is progressing on schedule and we are confident that Thomond Park will reopen on October 22nd next," said the spokesman.

In a statement issued after the attack by vandals the IRFU expressed their "total disbelief and condemnation" at what happened, and said the surface had been "severely damaged" and would therefore be unplayable for at least five weeks.

The first match due to be played at Thomond Park when it reopens is the AIB All-Ireland League match between Shannon and Galwegians.

The attack by vandals on September 14th last was the second time Thomond Park hit the headlines in recent months. Earlier this year it emerged the IRFU had offered 15 local residents some €3 million as part of a plan to redevelop the ground. The IRFU want to buy the houses at the Ballynanty end and knock them to allow the stadium to double its capacity to 26,000 spectators.

It's understood many of the residents, who were offered €200,000 each for their homes, had declined the offer.