Fiona Murphy

Fiona Murphy, Communications Chief with Munster Rugby looks ahead to 2020.

 

Main goals for 2020?

As a club we are always striving to be the best, and we don’t hide away from the fact that we want to win silverware, but for the New Year, we hope for continued success on and off the pitch for all our stakeholders.

 

Hopes for Munster Rugby in 2020?

From a facilities and development point of view, we hope to secure grant funding for construction of an indoor training facility at Irish Independent Park in Cork. The facilities are at the centre of Munster Rugby’s strategy for growing the game in the province, and engaging with the local community.

 

Most looking forward to in 2020?

We are looking forward to our new Head of Commercial and Marketing, Dave Kavanagh, commencing his role in January. The Cork native joins the province from Six Nations Rugby, where he has been Head of Commercial, Brand and Marketing since 2004.

 

Hopes for Cork for 2020?

We again look forward to welcoming Six Nations rugby to Cork with defending champions, Ireland under 20s, facing Italy, Scotland and Wales at Irish Independent Park after two hugely successful games against England and France last year.

Outside of rugby, it would be great to see further tangible progress made on the proposed M20 Cork-Limerick motorway.

 

Was 2019 a good year for you?

As always, the province experienced high and lows throughout the year with a lot of changes across the organisation, but overall it has to be recognised as a good year because of the people - our volunteers, staff, supporters and wider community again showing why Munster Rugby is something very special to be part of.

 

Major highlight in 2019?

The organisation saw CEO Garrett Fitzgerald retire in June 2019 after 20 years of dedicated service to the province. It was great to see him honoured at the Irish Sports Industry Awards for his outstanding contribution to Irish sport over the course of his career.

Cork players to look out for in 2020?

Skibbereen’s Enya Breen, who played with Bantry Bay and is now with UL Bohs, is a hugely exciting player and it was great to see her make her Ireland Six Nations debut at the age of 19. She certainly is a rising star and one to watch. Similarly, Jack Crowley from Bandon and Cian Hurley from Clonakilty, are showing great potential and hopefully we will get to see them in action for the Ireland under 20s in Cork this year.