Musgrave Park, Cork
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Irish English|date=April 2019}}
{{short description|Rugby football stadium in Ireland}}
{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Musgrave Park
| image = File:Musgrave Park (geograph 3680269).jpg
| caption = Musgrave Park stands prior to renovation, September 2013
| location = Cork
| surface = Artificial turf {{cite web |url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/08/09/new-modified-3g-pitch-laid-at-irish-independent-park/ |website=Munster Rugby |title = New Modified 3G Pitch Laid At Irish Independent Park | date = August 2018 |access-date=30 November 2018}}
| coordinates = {{coord|51.8808|-8.4718|type:landmark_source:enwiki-googlemaplink|display=inline,title}}
| capacity = 8,008{{cite web |url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/19907.php |publisher=Munster Rugby |title=Wolfhounds Defeat As Irish Independent Park Opens |date=31 January 2015 |quote="In keeping with safety regulations for the new development, the full capacity of the stadium (10000) will be introduced on a phase by phase basis with 8,200 the maximum capacity permitted for tonight's game" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212163916/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/19907.php |archive-date=12 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/munster-annihilate-the-dragons-to-cement-their-place-at-the-top-of-the-pro12-table-35441395.html | publisher = Irish Independent | title = Munster annihilate the Dragons to cement their place at the top of the Pro12 table | quote = "You'd have been forgiven in Cork tonight for thinking that this was the only game of importance this weekend as a capacity crowd [...] of 8,008 responded to [..Munster..] urging them on" |date = 10 February 2017 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/new-head-coach-van-graan-off-to-winning-start-as-munster-crush-ospreys-36373436.html | publisher = Irish Independent | title = New head coach Van Graan off to winning start as Munster crush Ospreys | date = 3 December 2017 | quote = With a full house of 8,000 at Irish Independent Park }}
| opened = Original: 1940
After redevelopment: 2015
| former names = Irish Independent Park (sponsorship; 2015-2020)
| owner = Irish Rugby Football Union
| tenants = Dolphin RFC
Sundays Well RFC
Munster Rugby
|publictransit = Cork railway station
Pearse Road / O'Growney Crescent bus stop
}}
Musgrave Park, known as Virgin Media Park for sponsorship reasons, is a rugby football stadium in the city of Cork, Ireland. The ground is situated on Pearse Road in Ballyphehane. The ground is named after Jimmy Musgrave, a past-president of the Irish Rugby Football Union.{{cite web |url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/club/musgrave.php |title=Musgrave Park | Club | Munster Rugby | Official Website : Musgrave Park |publisher=Munsterrugby.ie |date=1940-11-10 |access-date=2014-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203215234/http://www.munsterrugby.ie/club/musgrave.php |archive-date=2013-12-03 }} Owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), it is primarily used by Dolphin RFC, Sundays Well RFC, and Munster Rugby.
History and development
The ground was first purchased by the Munster Branch of the IRFU in the late 1930s, and in use by the early 1940s. Named for Jimmy Musgrave, a past-president of the IRFU, this early ground incorporated a small pavilion between two pitches. Terracing and seating were later added. Dolphin and Sunday's Well rugby clubs were tenants from the outset, though the ground also sometimes hosted provincial and international games. The latter included a number of notable Munster Rugby performances against touring international teams, including Australia (in 1967), the All Blacks (in 1973), and Australia (in 1992) when the then world-champions were defeated at the ground.{{cite news|url= http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/a-new-era-for-munster-rugby-as-redeveloped-irish-independent-park-officially-opened-31030358.html| title= A new era for Munster Rugby as redeveloped Irish Independent Park officially opened | date= 28 February 2015 |publisher= Irish Independent}}
By the early 21st century, the ground consisted of four terraces, one stand, three tribunes, a jogging track, and two VIP stands on the west side. This configuration provided a seating capacity of 3,450, with terracing giving a total capacity of approximately 9,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.pro12rugby.com/teams/munster/index.php |title=RaboDirect PRO12 - Teams - Munster |publisher=RaboDirectPRO12 |access-date=2011-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714060914/http://www.pro12rugby.com/teams/munster/index.php |archive-date=2014-07-14 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2003/1113/ireland/musgrave-park-expansion-talks-586912676.html |title=Irish Examiner – Musgrave Park expansion talks |publisher=Irish Examiner Archives |date=13 November 2003 |access-date=2011-10-13}}
It was announced in March 2010 that a new all-seated west stand, would bring capacity to over 12,500,{{cite web |last=Byrne |first=Chris |url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/7283.php |title=Munster Rugby : News : New Development at Musgrave Park |publisher=Munsterrugby.ie |date=2010-03-12 |access-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118203510/http://munsterrugby.ie/news/7283.php |archive-date=2011-11-18 }} however by February 2011 it was reported that this work would not go ahead - due to difficulty raising funding. Instead a 4,000 seat temporary stand was erected in the summer of 2011.{{cite web|last=Coughlan |first=Barry |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-20145691.html |title=Downturn halts Munster’s Musgrave Park stand plans | Irish Examiner |publisher=Examiner.ie |date=2011-02-18 |access-date=2011-10-13}} Later in 2011 the old seated west stand was demolished and replaced by a temporary structure, giving an overall capacity of 10,000 with 4,000 seats.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrsc.ie/News_Detail.aspx?rowid=54698 |title=News Detail Page - Musgrave Park Plans for the New Stand |publisher=Mrsc.ie |access-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721125439/http://www.mrsc.ie/News_Detail.aspx?rowid=54698 |archive-date=2011-07-21 }}
In March 2013 it was announced that a new permanent 3,300 seated west stand would be built. It would incorporate changing, medical, media and function rooms. The east terrace would also have a roof added as part of this development.{{cite web|url=http://www.fxcentre.com/news.asp?3047514 |title=AIB Customer Treasury Services - Breaking News |publisher=AIB Customer Treasury Services (Fxcentre.com) |date=2013-03-22 |access-date=2014-01-27}} To fund this development a 1.1 acre strip of land to the east of the site was made available for sale.{{cite web| url= http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Munster+Rugby+to+sell+site+at+Musgrave+Park/id/19410615-5218-514b-20ee-9fdbe5046167| title= Munster Rugby to sell site at Musgrave Park|publisher=Sunday Business Post|date =21 March 2013}}{{cite web| url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/sale-of-land-moves-musgrave-park-development-plan-closer-250290.html| title=Sale of land moves Musgrave Park development plan closer|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=21 November 2013|access-date=27 January 2013|author=Simon Lewis}} When complete, the development would provide a ground capacity of 10,000 in total, phasing in from a capacity of approximately 8,000 from the initial reopening in January 2015.{{cite news|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/o-brien-provides-highlight-in-tame-wolfhounds-defeat-1.2086084 | publisher=Irish Times |date=31 January 2015 |title=O'Brien provides highlight in tame Wolfhounds defeat |quote=The Cork sporting public enthusiastically welcomed international rugby back to the city, filling the redeveloped Musgrave Park to its 8,200 sell-out }} This €3.2m investment and work took place between June 2014 and January 2015, and included a new west stand seating 3,500, with the east terrace being covered from endline to endline.{{cite web|title= Musgrave Park {{!}} Club {{!}} Munster Rugby {{!}} Official Website : Irish Independent Park|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/club/irishindependentpark.php|website=Munster Rugby|access-date=10 February 2017}}
Following a naming-rights deal with Independent News & Media, upon the planned reopening in early 2015, the ground was referred to as Irish Independent Park.{{cite news|url= http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/redevelopment-of-irish-independent-park-to-be-completed-by-middecember-30591357.html |publisher=Irish Independent |title=Redevelopment of Irish Independent Park to be completed by mid-December |date=16 September 2014}}{{cite news|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/irish/2014/0327/604981-naming-rights-to-musgrave-park-sold/ | publisher = RTÉ News | title=Musgrave Park naming rights sold to Independent News & Media |date=27 March 2014 }} This naming rights agreement ended in November 2020.{{cite web|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-40110668.html | publisher = Irish Examiner | website = irishexaminer.com | title = The name game: Musgrave Park has title reinstated | date = 30 November 2020 | access-date = 30 November 2020 }} A similar naming rights deal was agreed with Virgin Media Ireland in early 2024.{{cite web|url = https://www.the42.ie/virgin-media-park-6268305-Jan2024/ | website = the42.ie | title = Munster's Cork home renamed Virgin Media Park | date = 10 January 2024 | accessdate = 17 January 2024 }}
Use
=Rugby=
File:Donncha O'Callaghan Munster.jpg during a rugby match between Munster and Scarlets at Musgrave Park]]
Musgrave Park is home to Dolphin RFC and Sundays Well RFC. Each club has their own pitch on the east side of the main stadium. The stadium hosts some home fixtures of the United Rugby Championship's Munster Rugby. However Thomond Park, Limerick is the venue for all European Rugby Champions Cup games.
The ground has been used for some rugby internationals, including Ireland's Women's XV games in the Women's 6 Nations,{{citeweb|url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/w6n/fixtures/2025/ireland-women-v-england-women-12042025-1645/commentary | website = sixnationsrugby.com | title = Ireland v England {{!}} 2025 W6N | accessdate = 12 April 2025 | date = 12 April 2025 }} Ireland Men's A (Wolfhounds) games, and Ireland under-20 Men's team matches. It hosted games during the 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite web|url = https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/report/ireland-claim-under-20s-six-nations-crown-with-dramatic-win-over-france/#report | publisher = Six Nations Rugby Ltd | website = sixnationsrugby.com | title = Ireland Claim Under-20s Six Nations Crown With Dramatic Win Over France | date = 6 March 2019 | access-date = 21 June 2019 }}{{cite web |title=Ireland begin U20s begin Six Nations campaign with blistering eight-try victory over Wales |url=https://www.the42.ie/ireland-u20s-7-5674208-Feb2022/ |website=the42 |access-date=5 February 2022}}{{cite web|url = https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41097082.html| website = echolive.ie | publisher = The Echo | title = Ireland U20s complete Grand Slam by beating England at Musgrave Park | date = 19 March 2023 | accessdate = 20 March 2023 }}
The stadium also hosts locally important games - such as finals for amateur cup competitions and schools rugby.{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterschoolsrugby.com/competitions/u19-senior-cup/ |publisher=Munster Schools Rugby |title=Munster Schools Senior Cup Draw 2014-15 |quote=Final is due to be played on 17th March in Musgrave Park 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214031953/http://www.munsterschoolsrugby.com/competitions/u19-senior-cup/ |archive-date=2015-02-14 }}
=Other sports=
In September 1991 League of Ireland club Cork City F.C. played a league game at Musgrave Park against Shamrock Rovers{{cite web|url= http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1991/0916/Pg027.html#Ar02709:1348101C78591948541AC8671AD8541BE86719C94F1CF9622888722D18892769352A79432A79352B29432B49352EF94313385418986714194F18996221D872282889226935268943 |title=Irish Times |publisher=Irish Times |date=1991-09-16 |access-date=2011-10-13}} and the following Wednesday Cork City drew 1–1 with FC Bayern Munich in a UEFA Cup game played at the ground.
=Concerts=
Other events also take place at the venue, with for example a concert by Il Divo in June 2014,{{cite web|date=27 January 2014 |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored-content/midsummer-extravaganza-in-cork-with-il-divo-256154.html |title=Midsummer Extravaganza in Cork with IL DIVO! |publisher=Irish Examiner |access-date=27 January 2014}} and a series of gigs by George Ezra, The Coronas, Liam Gallagher, Lauryn Hill and others during June 2019.{{cite web|url = https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/George-Ezra-kicks-off-first-open-air-concert-series-at-Musgrave-Park-tomorrow-night-ebbc2764-a0c3-43da-a5c7-44ea66fb14c4-ds | publisher = The Echo | website = echolive.ie | title = George Ezra kicks off first open-air concert series at Musgrave Park tomorrow night | date = 19 June 2019 | access-date = 21 June 2019 }} Florence and the Machine also played there in June 2023.{{Cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Denise |date=26 June 2023 |title=Florence + The Machine review: A cosmic love in Cork for an ethereal performance |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41171092.html |website=Irish Examiner}}
On 20 June 2024, Take That performed their first ever show in Cork at Musgrave Park as part of This Life on Tour.{{Cite web |last=O’Driscoll |first=Des |date=2023-10-16 |title=Take That to kick off European Tour with concert at Musgrave Park in Cork |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41248792.html |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}
See also
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commonscat}}
- [http://www.dolphinrfc.com/ Dolphin RFC official site]
- [http://www.sundayswellrfc.com/ Sundays Well RFC official site]
{{Munster Rugby}}
{{United Rugby Championship}}
{{Sport in Cork City}}
Category:Rugby union stadiums in Ireland
Category:Sports venues in Cork (city)