Joe McCarthy: 'I'd love Peter O'Mahony to keep going, he's a legend'

Ireland's Peter O'Mahony makes his way down the tunnel holding the Guinness Six Nations trophy. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire. 

It started in tears and ended in cheers but we can't say yet, after 105 caps and a dozen years of service, whether this was the last time we see Peter O’Mahony play for Ireland.

The captain’s emotions were writ large on his face during the anthems. Others sang out loud, their heads elevated skyward. O’Mahony was staring at the turf, or at least he would have been had his eyes not been pools of water.

Who couldn't come to a conclusion when seeing that? It was impossible not to imagine that here was a full stop of sorts. His last Test game? His last in Dublin anyway? Possibly. Probably? He didn’t discount the notion afterwards.

Peter O'Mahony with his son Ralph. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“I don’t know, I have a few chats to have with family and stuff over the next couple of weeks,” he explained to Virgin TV pitchside after another Six Nations title had been secured with the defeat of Scotland”. If it was my last one it is not a bad one to go out on.” Maybe it will be that the stage in Dublin on Saturday night is the perfect way to bow out. Ireland didn’t bring their best but it was more than enough to see off Gregor Townsend’s side and claim the Championship trophy in front of their own families and fans.

Glitter and fireworks decorated the scene as he lifted the tin with Tadhg Furlong in front of a celebrating crowd. No Grand Slam this time but this didn’t look like a half-hearted party. They know these nights are hard-earned.

“We could sit here for an hour or two chatting about that, especially with the people, the players and staff," said O'Mahony. "That World Cup experience really bonded this group. I know we are missing a couple of guys from that.

“Between our families and the group we are tight. It’s a huge honour to captain your country, it is a huge honour every time you get selected to play for your country and I thought we showed it the utmost respect today.” If O’Mahony is approaching the end then this is just a beginning for others.

Jack Crowley and Joe McCarthy slipped into unfamiliar shoes for the first time in this campaign and walked the walk for the most part. Both are young men but they understand the calibre of the man who led them out.

“He is what you see,” said Crowley. “He is a leader and to play alongside him for these last couple of years has been a privilege. He is someone I have huge respect for and all the group have respect for because he is himself and he leads with his actions.” McCarthy got to soldier with O’Mahony in the engine room this last few months. One a 34-year old Munster man, the other a 22-year old Leinster man, both of them in sync as part of a pack that delivered a title in a year when they undertook daunting trips to Marseille and London.

“Oh, he's an absolute legend,” said McCarthy. “I can't stop laughing when I'm around him, to be honest, he's like the heartbeat of our team.

Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony with his wife Jessica Moloney. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

“Playing in the games with him, it's confidence that he brings to the team. I'd love him to keep going, I think everyone feels the same. He's a special, special player.” Whatever O’Mahony’s immediate future, he’ll know better than anyone that the show will go on. Just as it did when Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls retired after the World Cup, and when guys like Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose were injured.

McCarthy set the tone for Ireland on that memorable opening night at the Stade Velodrome with a powerful performance against the French that turned any number of heads, and there’s a level-headedness to him with it.

He spoke here about how his campaign hasn’t been perfect and the lessons he will take from the experience. Crowley echoed all that.

“It wasn’t perfect,” the Munster out-half said of his first tournament as the starting No.10, “but it is the group, to play there, and there is an expectation to rise to the level.

“As an individual you just need to bring your own game and deliver what the team needs and at times there were mistakes and whatnot, but I have the backing of the group and to play in this group is special. I was very happy.”