WE’LL GET JOB DONN
O’mahony says Reds will park the emotion of lock’s exit
PETER O’MAHONY believes Munster’s last PRO12 final appearance was overshadowed by the emotion of Paul O’connell’s final game in red.
But he promises it will not happen again at the Aviva Stadium tonight, despite this being Donnacha Ryan’s 137th and last game after 13 years with the province.
Skipper O’mahony recalled last night how the province tried not to make it about O’connell’s finale when they lost 31-13 to Glasgow in Belfast two years ago but he admitted: “The emotion was flowing. I’m not saying that was the reason we didn’t perform well but I don’t think it helped us, all the talk about it during the week.
“Donners knows how important he is and how much he means to the club but this week he more than anyone drove the rugby side of things, drove our lineout and our detail – as he always does.
“He didn’t carry on any differently. We just kept our heads down. If we’re going to win, we’re going to win because we play well and that’s the most important thing.”
O’mahony (inset) captained the side for the first time six years ago but did not feature in the matchday 23 for the 2011 final win over Leinster.
It’s a similar scenario for a lot of his colleagues today, several of whom got their chance that season when the Reds’ Ireland frontliners were at the World Cup.
“It’s definitely an important season in my development and my career and one I look back on fondly,” he said.
“The selfish side of you, you weren’t on the pitch that day but you were there, you were important 100%. We used a lot of players this year and they’ll be as important to us as they ever have been.”
At the end of a traumatic and uplifting year, O’mahony admits it would make him “very proud” to beat the Scarlets and lift the trophy.
“I’m already very proud of what we’ve done this year,” said the Corkman.
“But I really think Munster deserve some silverware, because of how the supporters have been supporting the club and the way everyone stuck together in the last few years.
“For me personally, it would be a great honour but for the club and the supporters, they’re who need a trophy, and hopefully we can get it.”o’mahony is one of three Munster men who will join up with the British and Irish Lions tomorrow ahead of their New Zealand trip.
“It’s easy because I want to do well for the club and I haven’t won anything with this club,” he commented. “It means a huge amount to me. I’ve been selfish that way, I’m firmly in Munster camp at the moment.
“Until you’re on the plane and on the pitch for the Lions you aren’t one. I’ve got to put in a performance and hopefully
I’ll stay fit and get on the plane. But I’ve a job to do first”.