Speaking on Live 95FM's Limerick Today show to publicise a new charity album that the he has contributed a song to, Hogan claimed that there were "no plans" at the moment for a gig in the newly developed stadium, but said he hoped it might happen.

"Yes, of course it would be unbelievable (to play in Limerick) and to play somewhere like Thomond Park would be amazing for us," said Hogan.

"The last time we played in Limerick was 1993, so it is a long break. We haven't been approached by anybody, but that is the way it goes with these things, they tip along and then in the blink of an eye it gets organised and happens, so touch wood, maybe in the next while, something might happen," he added.

Hogan revealed that the Cranberries are currently busy rehearsing for their upcoming tour of the United States, which will begin in "about two weeks". The Limerick Leader understands that the band are using an unoccupied factory building on the fringes of the city to rehearse in and that although lead singer Dolores O'Riordan has not joined her bandmates as of yet, she is due in the very near future.

Business owners in the vicinity have reported to the Leader that the band are "rocking out" in the building, their familiar songs easily audible from within.

Speaking about returning to rehearsals, Hogan said there was some nerves beforehand.

"It is seven years since we have done it - the week before we went in everyone was really nervous about remembering the stuff because you wouldn't have played it since we finished up," said Noel. "Now that we have the hardest part over, the buzz is certainly there and we are itching to do the first few gigs again."

The guitarist also revealed that the band are rehearsing material written for an album that was never made and that the band are writing new songs as well, with an eye on a summer album release next year.

Hogan was promoting a new record created to raise funds for the West of Ireland heart health charity Croí, to which he has contributed the song 'Hannah Heart', recorded under his 'Arkitekt' guise. The CD , "Heartland - Songs for Croí" is available now in shops and proceeds will go toward the Galway based Cardiology Foundation.