Excited O’Mahony takes up challenge of leading Munster

Peter O’Mahony was yesterday named as the new Munster captain for the 2013/14 season.

The Cork native has long been regarded as potential leadership material at both provincial and international level, having led almost every team he has played for.

Back rower O’Mahony has captained Munster before, doing so in Paul O’Connell’s absence during the 2011/12 season — helping him earn the province’s Young Player of the Year gong — and this summer led the Irish touring squad to North America.

O’Mahony, who has 46 Munster appearances and 13 Ireland caps to his name, also captained Munster A to the inaugural British and Irish Cup Final in 2010 and has previously captained Ireland U20s and U18s.

“It is the biggest honour of my career so far and it is very special to me,” said O’Mahony yesterday. “When I was asked by Rob (Penney, Munster coach) initially I was just shocked and my first instinct was to jump at it, but I had time to go away and think about it and I wanted to talk to people to get their thoughts.

“Fellas like Paulie are very important guys in this squad and hopefully he and the other guys will be behind me for the year and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not going to try and fill Paulie’s boots, Axel’s boots or Dougie’s, I’m going to try and be my own captain, look after the lads and figure out the way I’m going to do things.”

Penney described O’Mahony’s selection as skipper as “a no-brainer”.

“Peter is a naturally gifted leader and is still very young but has a lot of the attributes that are special and intrinsic to Munster,” said the New Zealander.

“He will grow in to being a special leader of this group of men. I have spoken to players including Paul O’Connell who was extremely supportive of Pete’s appointment.”

Meanwhile, Munster players yesterday took to Twitter to seek transport and accommodation as they race around the province on foot in an impromptu pre-season bonding session.

‘The Amazing Munster Race’ will see six groups of players dropped at various destinations around Munster today, minus cars and places to stay while armed with itineraries that will see them pass through various towns and cities. Youghal is the final destination, with players expected to arrive there tomorrow evening.

Munster yesterday revealed the players only learned of the exercise yesterday and will “have to carry out a number of different tasks and will basically have to rely on the hospitality of the community, in return for some coaching tips, photographs and autographs”.

Kilkee, Castleisland, Nenagh, Skibbereen, Dungarvan and Killaloe are the drop-off points, and players are already utilising social media to sort out beds for the night, lifts and food, using the hashtag #munsterrace.

Elsewhere, Munster have also confirmed that four home RaboDirect Pro12 games will be played at Musgrave Park in Cork this season.

Edinburgh and the Dragons visit Cork in September with the Scarlets in town just before Christmas with Zebre rounding off the programme at the Ballyphehane venue in February. Any proposed developments to Musgrave Park will not affect the Zebre fixture.