Rising star O’Malley happy to bide his time at Leinster
It’s just as well given the former Belvedere College, Irish under-19 and under-20 player is eyeing a place in the Leinster side currently held by one of the world’s greatest – Brian O’Driscoll.
And even to settle for a place alongside the Irish captain, he would have to dislodge none other than O’Driscoll’s Irish partner and fellow Lion Gordon D’Arcy.
The 21-year-old O’Malley doesn’t dare think beyond the present, just happy he has finally recovered from injury and has been getting valuable game time in the absence of the Irish international players during the recent Six Nations Championship.
He has by far and away more experience at under-age level for Ireland (four schools caps, seven under-19 caps and ten under-20 appearances) than he has for Leinster, for whom he has made just four senior appearances on top of games for Leinster A in the British and Irish Cup.
But he is expected to add to that list of senior games against Connacht in a Magners League game at the RDS on Saturday (4.30pm) – and he will be grateful to get the chance.
Leinster coach Michael Cheika will, in the absence of the injured O’Driscoll and D’Arcy, most probably give O’Malley a starting place alongside Fergus McFadden but don’t expect the youngster to make any wild boasts about trying to fill the jerseys of either D’Arcy or O’Driscoll.
“I wouldn’t dare think of that, you can’t be thinking about that kind of stuff. The main thing is, when you’re picked, you try to do your best. You just got to make sure the results are right for the squad,” he said.
O’Malley is glad of his recent opportunities, admitting: “It’s been a good couple of weeks, thank God. Obviously this time of the year is quite a big opportunity for young guys like me. It’s great to be going okay with them and the fact that we were getting the results as well was the main thing.
“It’s tough to break into this team; at the same time when you do get in there are so many senior lads around I suppose it makes the whole thing easier.”
And if O’Malley has a preference for playing 13, it won’t worry him should he be chosen anywhere in the backs. “I suppose 13 would be my preferred position but I suppose as I get more established I’ll try and play 12. I used to play a small bit at 10 and with the competition here in the squad any bit of flexibility you can have is going to add a lot to you.”
Although he would be considered a rookie within the squad, he insists there are no cliques in camp; indeed he is delighted with the help that is constantly on tap from the older players.
“There really is a great atmosphere in the squad. I can only speak for myself in the short time since I came here, but I know from talking to the older guys that they really appreciate what they have these days.
“The camaraderie is fantastic – from the older guys right down. At the moment there is just so much to play for and there is huge motivation in the squad and everyone is pushing in the right direction. Mal (O’Kelly), for instance, has been around longer than most and he says he has never seen it better in terms of camaraderie in the squad, so obviously that is a big thing and a big help for pushing us in the right direction,” he said.
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