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Munster's Peter O'Mahony. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

Munster insist O'Mahony contract talks are an 'ongoing process'

The 34-year-old’s IRFU central contract is due to expire at the end of this season.

MUNSTER ASSISTANT COACH Denis Leamy said discussions over Peter O’Mahony’s future with the province are still an “ongoing process.”

34-year-old O’Mahony’s current IRFU central contract is due to expire at the end of this season and the expectation is that the union won’t be extending that deal.

That would mean Munster having to offer O’Mahony a provincial contract of their own to keep him beyond the end of this season.

As things stand, it’s understood that Munster have not offered O’Mahony a contract for next season. The Cork man stepped down from the Munster captaincy back in November.

Leamy insisted today that a conclusion has yet to be reached on the matter. 

“It’s an ongoing process,” said Leamy in Limerick.

“I think Wig [head coach Graham Rowntree] has probably spoken about it over the last while. It’s an ongoing process and it’s probably unfair for me to comment any further than that. That’s still ongoing so we’ll just have to wait and see how that pans out.”

While the blindside flanker’s future remains unclear, Leamy praised O’Mahony as a big influence in the Munster environment.

“He just brings a great calmness, a great standard-setter and just his ability to play rugby as well is fantastic,” said Leamy.

“It was great to have him back for last Saturday, he brought everyone with him, great leadership. He’s someone that I think makes others feel better about themselves and certainly in the south of France, you need everyone feeling good about themselves. Pete was a great addition last Saturday.”

O’Mahony came through his return unscathed and will be involved again this weekend as Munster host Northampton at Thomond Park in another big Champions Cup game.

Hooker Niall Scannell was superb on his return from a long-term injury in Toulon, while out-half Joey Carbery featured off the bench after proving his fitness too. There were no setbacks for the three returning players.

“We just had to look at their training load the last couple of days but all are on track to be involved at the weekend again, so that’s really good for us,” said Leamy.

oli-jager Oli Jager could return this weekend. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Munster’s recent bad luck with injuries appears to be turning slightly, with tighthead prop Oli Jager likely to be back from concussion for the Northampton game.

“It’s ongoing,” said Leamy of Jager’s recovery. “Oli trained today and he seemed to come through pretty well. We’ll see how that goes in the next 24 hours but fingers crossed, he’s looking good. We’re hopeful.”

Back row Jack Daly has returned to training with the squad, while fullback Mike Haley and lock/flanker Cian Hurley are due to be available again in the coming weeks after their respective hip and ankle/Achilles injuries.

There is also some hope that back row Jack O’Donoghue could return before the end of the season after his knee injury proved not to be as bad as initially feared. The Waterford man will still be sidelined for three to four months but hasn’t had to undergo surgery.

“Look, it is bad news,” said Leamy. “There’s a silver lining there in that I wasn’t speaking to him today but we expected the worst after the incident. It was unfortunate in terms of the injury he sustained but three or four months isn’t the end of the world, fortunately. You could be looking at six to nine from that point of view.

“He’s a guy we’ll miss, a great squad player. The Six Nations is coming up and he would have been vital to us over that period with his leadership and his experience.

“Unfortunately, that’s not to be but fingers crossed he’ll be back before the end of the season.”

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17 Comments
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    Mute Sé Ó Muirthile
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    Jan 16th 2024, 6:12 PM

    Would be a huge loss to see him go. I hope for him to stay for atleast a few more seasons.

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    Mute Michael Murray
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    Jan 16th 2024, 6:18 PM

    @Sé Ó Muirthile: …..somebody talk to JPMac and make the Munster case….
    mebbe employ him as a consultamt gardener at Adare Manor!!

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    Mute PJ Smith
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    Jan 16th 2024, 6:31 PM

    Ah come on how many times have we seen this? Rumours conveniently arise around contract negotiations and low and behold, they miraculously sign a new contract at the last minute. Pete is going nowhere

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    Mute Matt Gilsenan
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:16 PM

    @PJ Smith: wouldn’t bet on that !

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    Mute Andrew Slazenger
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:16 PM

    @PJ Smith: Exactly. I can see why its a discussion, he’s 35 and has lots of miles on the clock but at the same time he’s integral to Munster in big games (Toulon case in point!)

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    Mute Ciaran Kennedy
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:36 PM

    @PJ Smith: bang on, weren’t there rumours about Carbury leaving a few weeks ago. And sure it’s not long since RG was reported to be out the door..

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    Mute PJ Smith
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:56 PM

    @Ciaran Kennedy: Neither even close to being similar. RG was never going to be retained due to Klyen’s defection and value for money to date. Joey has fallen from grace to third choice last season behind a player who was already declared as leaving and likely wants more money than he’s been worth to Munster. Pete is first name on the team sheet, starting for Ireland and at the top of his game. You’re comparing apples and coconuts. It’s more akin to Murray doing the exact same thing before his last contract extension. If Munster were to let him go it would be a clear mistake and indication of prioritising other resources which doesn’t make sense with big money names you’ve listed already leaving and freeing up finances.

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    Mute PJ Smith
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:57 PM

    @Andrew Slazenger: Exactly this, he’s the first name on the team sheet. It would be madness for Munster to let him go.

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:19 PM

    @PJ Smith: or exactly like Paul O’Connell?

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:42 PM

    @PJ Smith: True enough. It’s absolutely the right call for the IRFU not to offer an extended deal, they need to get more pragmatic in that regard, but I fully expect they will cave to Munster’s inevitable demands for financial support and there will be some sort of joint Munster/IRFU contract offered. Maybe similar to the extraordinary deal that brought Zebo back which had pretty much zero ROI for the IRFU.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jan 17th 2024, 3:52 PM

    @Carmine Lorenzo: It was a one year deal made possible by “his willingness to sign at a level below his market value elsewhere”. Tis hardly ‘extraordinary’

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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Jan 16th 2024, 7:58 PM

    The man is a warrior for both Munster and Ireland. I love watching him play and long may he continue.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:37 PM

    He’s been a fantastic servant obviously. Unless he is aiming for the Lions, which will likely be out of reach, this may well be his last year in Ireland. He won’t make the World Cup in 2027, there are plenty of quality backrows emerging at 6 at each province – Ahern, McCann, Prendergast with Baird at the head of the queue, and O’Mahony is a 50/60 mins player these days as he slows down. He may well fancy a 2 year jaunt in France, or better still in the less attritional Japanese league and earn a tonne of cash while he’s at it as well as an amazing life experience for his family. He owes Munster and Ireland nothing.

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    Mute Steve Mccarthy
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:07 PM

    He could quite easily retire. He’s 34, will be 35 come the start of next season. He’s still starting blindside with Ireland and Munster. Both of those teams will have new captains shortly. Hanging onto a player onto a player with 280 international and club caps would be a prudent move for all, even if only for a year.

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    Mute pat ryan
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:39 PM

    He’s good enough to be given another 1 year irfu central contract. Hopefully he’s not thinking of going to France, although he could be given that he gave up the captaincy. Is the tax back scheme still in place for players that retire in Ireland? It stopped a lot of players from going abroad for a payday in the past.

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    Mute Carmine Lorenzo
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    Jan 16th 2024, 8:50 PM

    @pat ryan: I believe you have to play for at least 10 years so he’s more than qualified for the tax back incentive. I don’t think you have to finish/play your last game for an Irish team to qualify for it if that makes sense. Just so long as you’ve completed 10 years playing for an Irish club. I think you’re onto something with the captaincy thing – give it up this season and help Beirne with the transition period and mentor him in the captain’s role. You could argue O’Mahony’s leadership will be even more important than ever now he’s given it up.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Jan 17th 2024, 3:55 PM

    Looking to the usual crop of deep pockets for a top up no doubt, maybe a slice of the rugby museum ticketing. Ha

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