O’Mahony ready to stake back-row claim

IT was Declan Kidney who said it first, but we would do well to heed his words – recent events notwithstanding, these are special times in Irish rugby.

Look at the budgets of Biarritz, Toulouse, Toulon, the three French teams who beat (respectively) Munster, Leinster and Connacht in the recent Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup semi-finals, and compare – massive disparities.

The reason the Irish provinces are competing so well is because of the conveyor belt of talent streaming through the academy systems. In that regard, Munster are especially well served. Their A team – made up primarily of academy players – having qualified unbeaten for the inaugural British & Irish Cup final, against Cornish Pirates on May 16.

A leading light on that team, and one of those on the cusp of a permanent breakthrough to the senior squad – he has already made his Magners League debut – is 20-year-old Peter O’Mahony, from Cork city.

O’Mahony had an early start to his rugby career. “Cork Con, and I was five, so I’m 15 years playing now. My Dad had played rugby with Con as well since he was a young fella, and I have two younger brothers playing – a rugby family, I suppose.”

He’s a backrower, big enough at 6’3” and nearly 15st to play any of the three positions, but favoured at No.8 at underage, from where he captained the Ireland U-20s last season, or at openside, where he operates for the club.

It’s a tough position he has chosen for himself where Munster have a veritable galaxy of current and coming talent – where are they all going to fit?

“That’s the question, and a tough question to answer. Every player has to do their best, but second-row and backrow, those are two areas where there is always huge depth in Munster. Whether you want to look back ten years or forward ten years, that will always be the case; maybe it’s just the way we’re bred, maybe it’s just the way schools’ rugby and club rugby in Munster has developed, but we just seem to produce quality players in those positions in bucketfuls. All you can do is your best, take your chance when it comes your way.”

Have those young players discussed the Connacht option among themselves, an option which has been successful for another academy graduate, Seán Cronin?

“You have to consider these things at some stage, but if you talk to any of the players in any of the academies, it’s always the ambition to play for your own province. It would be very hard to leave – I know Seanie still says his heart is with Munster.

“It’s an option, something you have to keep in mind, but as long as the opportunity is still here, as long as you’re still getting the contract, you have to keep your mind set on Munster.

“But there are some great players coming through in the backrow, the likes of Eoghan Grace, Paddy Butler, Brian O’Hara, Tommy O’Donnell, and with those there you have to push yourself – that’s probably another reason the standard is so high, everyone pushing each other on.

“It is tough, and if you do happen to make it, maybe have a career of 10 to 15 years, you’ll really earn your keep, but obviously I wouldn’t do it unless I loved it. As a backrow you’re a part of the backs and the forwards essentially, you have to have the different fitness requirements of both of those groups, but I enjoy it, immensely, it’s a hugely enjoyable position to play in.”

Another reason O’Mahony loves his job – friendships. “Yeah, there’s a great bond that develops, a huge mutual respect, both for those you played with and those you played against. Especially when you’re involved with the academy; you’re training with fellas from Monday to Friday, then suddenly you’re up against them on the Saturday in a club game.

“I think I’ve been very lucky in the teams I’ve been involved with, from Schools to the A team now, I’ve always been very close to the lads on those teams.

“I don’t know if it happens with everyone but I’ve felt a great bond with every team I’ve played with up to now.”