A History of Munster Rugby & Thomond Park

Munster Rugby and Thomond Park Stadium have a special bond and holds a special place in rugby due to its own unique history and atmosphere. It is here that Munster celebrated their legendary 12-0 victory over the All Blacks in 1978 (the only Irish Team ever to beat New Zealand). The Stadium is famed for its noise during play and the complete silence while home and away players are kicking for goal. It is a very intimidating place for visiting teams to visit. Munster have only ever been beaten once at home during the Heineken Cup since it was first played in 1995. Leicester Tigers were the team to finally end the long run, when they defeated Munster 13-6 the group stages of the 2006/2007 Heineken Cup.

The highest official attendance before the re-development of the stadium came in 1992 when a local derby in the All-Ireland League between clubs Shannon and Garryowen saw 18,000 people cram into the old ground. Since the re-development of the stadium the highest official attendance rose. 26,000 people witnessed Munster take on the New Zealand All Blacks to commemorate the offical opening of the re-developed stadium in November 2008. There is also a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that 100,000 attended the historic defeat of the All Blacks 1978, a nod to the mythical status the game has ascended to in local folklore.

The First Heineken ERC game played in Thomond Park was against Swansea  on the 1st Nov 1995. Munster won 17-13.

Munster Magical Home Record

26 unbeaten Heineken European Cup home games

1995-1996
1st Nov 1995: Munster 17 Swansea 13

1996-1997
19th Oct 1996: Munster 49 Lon Wasps 22

1997-1998
20th Sept 1997: Munster 17 Bourgoin 15
12th Oct 1997: Munster 23 NEC Harlequins 16

1999-2000
20th Nov 1999: Munster 32 Pontypridd 10
8th Jan 2000: Munster 31 Saracens 30
15th Apr 2000: Munster 27 Stade Fancais 10 (QF)

2000-2001
7th Oct 2000: Munster 26 Newport 18
21st Oct 2000: Munster 31 Bath 9
28th Jan 2001: Munster 38 Biarritz Olympique 29 (QF) 

2001-2002
29th Sept 2001: Munster 28 Castres Olympique 23
5th Jan 2002: Munster 51 NEC Harlequins 17

2002-2003
19th Oct 2002: Munster 30 Perpignan 21
18th Jan 2003: Munster 33 Gloucester 6

2003-2004
13th Dec 2003: Munster 51 Treviso 0
17th Jan 2004: Munster 35 Gloucester 14
31st Jan 2004: Munster 26 Bourgoin 3
10th April 2004: Munster 37 Stade Francais 32

2004-2005
23rd Oct 2004: Munster 15 NEC Harlequins 9
11th Dec 2004: Munster 36 Castres Olympique 8
8th Jan 2005: Munster 20 Neath Swansea Ospreys 10

2005-2006
29th Oct 2005: Munster 42 Castres Olympique 10
17th Dec 2005: Munster 30 Newport Gwent Dragons 18
21st Jan 2006: Munster 31 Sale Sharks 9

2006-2007
28th Oct 2006: Munster 41 Bourgoin 23
16th Dec 2007: Munster 32 Cardiff Blues 18
20th Jan 2007: Leicester Tigers 13 Munster 6