PETER O’MAHONY HAS signed a one-year extension to his central contract with the IRFU. The new deal expires at the end of next season, incorporating the World Cup in France.
“The journey this Ireland squad has been on since the World Cup in Japan has been incredible to be a part of”, said O’Mahony. “There is a hunger to learn and compete and a great camaraderie in the group. My ambition is to compete at a third World Cup and help this team achieve success over the coming weeks and months.”
The renewal of a central contract is show of faith from the IRFU to O’Mahony, who remains a starting member of the Irish backrow.
Having made his debut against Italy in 2012, O’Mahony’s appearance against France in the second round of this year’s Six Nations marked his 91st international cap.
“Peter has been an important figure in Irish rugby for over a decade and has contributed massively to the success the Ireland men’s team has enjoyed across that period”, said the IRFU’s High Performance Director, David Nucifora. “He is a born leader and galvanises those around him. We are delighted to contract him through the World Cup and into the 2023/24 season. A leader like Pete is invaluable to both Ireland and Munster.”
History will judge him as one of our all time greats..Well deserved Sir!!
The work he does around the pitch off the ball is remarkable. We have seen his positional sense in defence so many times. My personal favourite is him snatching the ball from an AB grubber kick to deny them a certain try. A true warrior on the pitch who leads by example and a gent off it. Both Faz and Joe can’t be wrong.
I imagine a few will disagree. But; given his form over the last year for Ireland, extending for a year to take in the World Cup is a no-brainer
@Kevin Ryan: it is. But at the same time I think a one year contract is the right call. Considering the scarcity of central contact a player into his 30′s shouldn’t be getting longer central contact. Wonder can Munster get him to sign a contract for afterwards already?
@Kevin Ryan: I think there was a point about 18 months ago it was probably in question, but right now I think his form 100% justifies this contract. But like many have suggested it a correctly pitched length, and it can be revisited if he should get an extension or be moved to a provincial contract after that, I can’t see him leaving Munster anyway.
The stats showed that he was the best forward performer against Wales.
@David Jackman: what stats are they?
He clearly wasn’t the best forward against Wales.
@Oran Burns: React Rugby broke it down on off the ball. Based on the stats he outperformed everyone else in the pack, he just does the less glamorous work that the casual fan doesn’t pick up. The stats looked at the type, number and quality/effectiveness of actions over the match
@Brian Carroll: heard that too, it was a good breakdown. He clearly adds to the balance of the front 8 and that back row in particular.
Brilliant news
Well deserved. If we go all the way in the cup is that him up to the 100 caps? I can’t remember if the warm up games count won’t lie
I think you’re right, if we made the final and he played every game (I don’t think the warm ups count) then 100 caps. But I’d say he’d give up a cap or 2 if playing in the final was offered now. No doubt he’ll still feature beyond the RWC anyway.
I’ve been vocal in the past about O’Mahonys efforts as I genuinely thought he was past it but I was wrong. He’s really taken his game to a whole new world class level. You won’t get bustling runs at 100 miles an hour from him at this stage in his career but you’ll get reassurance playing alongside him especially in the set piece. He’s still brilliant at turnovers and of course in the lineout where he absolutely excels. Like Sexton, Murray, Healy etc his experience is invaluable. Also How on earth is Will Connors & Max Deegan suppose to get back into the squad now let alone the team with the talent we have. Baird, Coombes, Prendergast & Timoney can barely get a look in. Delighted for Penny though. He’s kept his head down for long enough now and never has a bad game. Well deserved.
@Harry O’Callaghan: don’t be ridiculous. He has always delivered, you just refuse to accept how little you know about rugby.
@Mr. Common Sense: he definitely had a dip in form a while back. It happens to the best of them, sure look at Sexton a few yrs ago too, Murray, Conan recently, I don’t think any player claims to have gone through their career without at least 1 dip in form. At least Harry put his hand up to admit when he was wrong, most posters on here wouldn’t do that.
@SPQH: ..Good post!! Have been heavily critical of the bould Harry in the past for his one-eyed views but fair play is good sport and well done Harry……and your point on dip in form is accurate. Nobody can maintain the highest standards 100% of time. Without the slightest element of criticism, the most obvious example in modern times was Jamie Headlip. He was very clever in the way he managed his contribution towards the end of his career. But you were sure in the critically important games he was at his imperious best. That way both Ireland and Leinster had him as a key operator for longer. So expressing it as ‘dip in form’ might be a better and more accurately referred as a ‘managed’ approach when there is so much ware and tare on a fabulous engine.
….wear and tear ffs!!
@Michael Murray: good points, you’re right, there’s a fair few variables isn’t there, a “dip in form” is a bit of a catch all? Like you said, possibly a managed approach. There’s a lot factors, physical fitness, S&C coaches, mental focus and mental strength, big game experience, how good the management are at getting the best from players, the team environment, the game strategy could’ve shifted, new rule changes an area a player was once great at, on and on… Great to see players get back to 100%
@Mr. Common Sense: It’s widely well known and acknowledged by people including Munster supporters that his form most certainly did have a dip in form for about 2/3 years. Played well but other backrowers were playing better. He has lifted his form though and is playing better. Let’s hope he can keep it up because Ryan Baird is right behind him and chomping at the bit.
WELL DONE PETE U ARE BRILLIANT WARRIOR
A 1 year extension sounds about right. There is rightfully a debate about whether he is still a nailed on starter for every match, but he is certainly still in the conversation.
Well deserved. Keep it going Pete. Great leader by example.
Quite simply a player you wanna go to war with. His absolute pride in the jersey is so evident in his demeanour and performances.
I would have thought the budget would be better spent on giving Van der Flier a central contract. World player of the year and all that.