Bank of Ireland will end their association with Munster when their current arrangement ends at the end of this season. Munster have a new sponsorship in place details of which will be announced in the coming months.

A statement issued on Monday by Bank of Ireland read:

Bank of Ireland today, Monday 5th April, announced the end of its six year sponsorship of the Munster Rugby Team with effect from the end of the current rugby season. Bank of Ireland had an option to renew the sponsorship but Munster have opted to establish a new partnership.

Commenting on the announcement Tim O Neill, Retail Banking Director, South & West, Bank of Ireland said “We are delighted and proud to have been sponsors of the Munster rugby team for the past six years as they have built a fearsome reputation as probably the most consistently performing team in Europe over that period. The sponsorship has been good for Munster rugby as the province made the full transition to the professional era.

It has also been a tremendous success for Bank of Ireland in supporting our business and marketing objectives over the past six years. Our staff have supported this sponsorship passionately and have become an integral part of the “sea of red”, a feature that I am sure will continue into the future.”

Garrett Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Munster Branch said “Bank of Ireland has been a wonderful supporter of Munster Rugby over the past six years. They have supported us throughout the professional era and we appreciated the role their partnership has played in the success of the squad to date.”

“It has been a great sponsorship with benefit to both sides” added Tim O’Neill. “I would like to wish the Munster Team and Munster Branch every success in the future and we look forward to enjoying the progress of the team in the latter stages of this years Heineken Cup.”