Munster confirm stadium rename after sponsorship deal ends early

Munster Rugby have confirmed that the province’s Cork stadium will revert to its former name after ending a sponsorship agreement with Irish media company Independent News and Media (INM). The Cork stadium had been named Irish Independent Park since 2015, but the province have today confirmed that it will return to its original name of Musgrave Park with immediate effect.

The stadium’s renaming as Irish Independent Park had been part of a 10-year partnership between Munster Rugby and INM, but that deal has now been cut short by mutual agreement.

“Munster Rugby and Independent News & Media have mutually agreed to bring their naming rights sponsorship agreement to an end,” a Munster statement read.

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“The province’s Cork based stadium will no longer be referred to as Irish Independent Park and will return to its former name of Musgrave Park with immediate effect.”

Musgrave Park opened in 1940 and is the Cork home of Munster Rugby, although the province play the vast majority of their senior men’s fixtures at Thomond Park in Limerick.

The venue has hosted a number of memorable dates in Munster’s storied history, including a draw against the All Blacks in 1973 and a win over reigning world champions Australia in 1992.

The stadium has also been used as the home venue for the Ireland U20s in recent seasons.

Munster Rugby Head of Commercial and Marketing, Dave Kavanagh, said, “We are very appreciative of Independent News & Media’s support and commitment over the last number of years in what has been a very successful partnership and naming rights sponsorship for the province.

“The successful redevelopment of the ground is directly attributed to the naming partnership with INM and for this we now have superb facilities in place with a venue that is widely used by the community, hosts international events and concerts, and is central to rugby development in the region.”