Munster Rugby celebrates Official Opening at Centre of Excellence
- Published on: 4 October 2025
- Last updated on: 4 October 2025
- An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister McConalogue join Munster Rugby and key stakeholders at Virgin Media Park, Cork to open the Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence
- Munster Rugby’s Centre of Excellence receives over €2.7m in state funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (‘LSSIF’)
- LSSIF-backed project includes indoor training facility with floodlit 3G playing surface and a high-performance gym
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, welcome the official opening of the Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence on Saturday 4th October 2025.
Support for this project, totaling €2,712,017 has been provided by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF-backed project features an indoor training facility with floodlit 3G playing surface, associated accommodation comprising of dressing rooms, gymnasium, physio rooms and amenities designed to support clubs, school and youth development programmes.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented:
“The opening of the Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence marks a significant milestone for sport in this province. As one of Munster’s major capital developments, it stands as a clear reflection of the ambition, pride and long-term vision that define Munster Rugby. The programme for Government has set ambitious targets to ensure we invest in not only grassroots but also in high performance. This project exemplifies how grassroots and high performance can be successfully combined in one project. The return on investment is clearly evident with a strong pathway programme and outstanding performances in the provincial, United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. This facility will ensure Munster remains a driving force in Irish and international rugby. It’s an exciting day for Munster, and for Irish sport.”
Minister of Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said:
“I am delighted that my Department was in a position to provide funding for this magnificent project. This large-scale investment highlights my Department’s and Government’s commitment to investing in sport as we are fully aware of the benefits that can be realised when we invest in our people. Munster’s strength has always come from its people - from the club members to the passionate supporters who fill stadiums. This facility is for them as much as it is for the players.”
Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, added:
“The Centre of Excellence is a testament to the power of sport to unite communities and develop talent. The Department is proud to have supported this transformative project through the LSSIF. I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Munster Rugby and the IRFU in delivering a facility that will benefit players, coaches and communities for years to come.”
Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan said:
“Today marks a significant milestone for the province as we officially open our world-class Centre of Excellence in Cork. This is our largest capital investment after the redevelopment of Thomond Park and it demonstrates the value we place in our grassroots game and player pathways.
“Incredible levels of work have taken place behind the scenes to reach this point today and I would especially like to thank Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ministers Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue and the IRFU for their support in helping deliver this key piece of infrastructure.”
Notes for Editors:
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF);
The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
The cumulative investment over the first two LSSIF rounds (2018 and 2024) stands at €297 million, with funding allocations provided to a total of 68 large-scale projects.