Irish Independent Park hosts two games in the Kearys Renault Series in August.

The new modified 3G pitch surface at Irish Independent Park will be completed at the beginning of August ahead of the opening two games at the venue in the Kearys Renault Series.

The new modified 3G pitch surface at Irish Independent Park will be completed at the beginning of August ahead of the opening two games at the venue in the Kearys Renault Series.

Munster face London Irish on Friday, August 17, and Exeter Chiefs on Friday, August 24, with both games kicking off at 7.30pm. A Two-Match Pack costs just €25 for one adult and it costs just €50 for a Two-Match Family Pack (two adults and two juniors).

Buy tickets online here.

The surface is currently being installed by Tralee-based PST Sport.

PST Sport CEO Colin Teahon is delighted with the progress made on the project so far with Munster Rugby installing the state-of-the-art pitch to allow for a significant increase in games played to assist in the province’s efforts of growing the game at grassroots level.

Teahon said: “There’s nothing like the system we’re installing in Ireland or the UK. The fibres are very resilient but they still have that soft feel to it so the artificial grass still stands upright but it will be soft to touch.

“It is the most state-of-the-art pitch you can get. It’s the closest thing to natural grass, that’s the design behind it. It will be completed at the beginning of August so there will be plenty of time for the pitch to bed in ahead of the pre-season games.”

Irish Independent Park is already the focal point for rugby in the South Munster region and this upgrade will allow for further opportunities, benefiting the wider rugby community.

See more details on the development here.

Video | Aerial views of Irish Independent Park

The major upgrade works at Irish Independent Park are progressing very well. We will play our first games on the new modified 3G pitch surface against London Irish and Exeter Chiefs in August with tickets now on sale | https://t.co/hCTmEMtjVM pic.twitter.com/N69ftKUYks — Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) June 27, 2018

FAQs

Why are Munster Rugby changing from a grass surface?

At present there is no suitable artificial surface for rugby in the south of the province. We currently host up to 54 games a season in Irish Independent Park, and in meeting the highest standards this investment in altering the pitch surface will allow us to cater for multiples of this year-on-year, directly benefitting the sport and wider community.

Why do Munster Rugby not install the artificial surface on one of the back pitches in Irish Independent Park?

Each of the back pitches are leased to a tenant club so are not available for use by Munster Rugby at present. In addition to this, the cost of upgrading these would be significantly higher than the main pitch.

What maintenance cost and upkeep is required?

The maintenance cost for the new surface is significantly lower than the current cost of maintaining the grass surface. The surface will be inspected on a bi-annual basis to ensure it meets World Rugby criteria.

Will the new pitch be used as a commercial offering?

Yes. We will be pursuing additional commercial opportunities for the facilities, and will review all possibilities.

What is the longevity of the surface?

PST Sports are installing an artificial sports turf that is so resilient it comes with a 12-year manufacturer’s warranty, based on 30 hours usage per week, over and above the industry standard eight-year period.

Will there be an increase in PRO14 games played at the venue?

At the moment we play four PRO14 games in Cork. If the province were to move a game from Thomond Park it would have significant financial implications due to capacity and commercial constraints. Additionally, Irish Independent Park hosted all of Munster A’s home British and Irish Cup games this season.

When will the first game be played on the new surface?

Similar to previous seasons Munster Rugby will host a pre-season encounter in Irish Independent Park in August. Once the opposition and fixture details are confirmed there will be an update on munsterrugby.ie

Will clubs and schools be able to avail of the facilities?

Irish Independent Park will continue to host domestic competitions at every level and Munster Rugby will now be in a position to commit to a greater number of games without being affected by the weather.

Will the tenant clubs, Dolphin RFC and Sundays Well RFC, have access to the new surface?

The relationship with the tenant clubs will continue in line with current practice.

Why is it referred to as a modified 3G surface?

Although a common term, 4G is not a pitch surface, and the modified 3G surface is the highest available spec. Working with PST Sports we are installing a world-class artificial surface.