‘Quitting is no longer a thing’
Dublin – Peter O’Mahony (above) is glad he dismissed thoughts about retiring from Test rugby after Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat as he has ended up with the “greatest honour” of his career, the Irish captaincy.
Many thought the 34-year-old flanker would join close friends Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls in hanging up the green jersey after the shattering 28-24 loss to New Zealand in a gripping last eight clash in Paris last October.
Instead, he will lead out Ireland in Marseille on 2 February in as tough an opening clash as the new captain of the defending champions could have against 2022 title winners France.
The 101-times capped no nonsense Munster star admitted he toyed with the idea of quitting and spending much more time on the other great love of his life – apart from his family – gardening.
“Yeah, it was, it certainly was,” he responded when asked had he given serious thought about retiring at this week’s Six Nations launch in Dublin.
“It was a tough few weeks after that (the quarterfinal), but it wasn’t the right time to make any calls given the circumstances.”
A shoulder injury against Leinster at the end of November deepened the gloom.
However, all that was lifted in a flash when Ireland coach Andy Farrell rang him following Munster’s win over Toulon in the Champions Cup to offer him the captain’s armband.
He had captained the Irish 10 times previously but this meant even more as it is for the entirety of the Six Nations tournament not just as a stand-in.
“To get a call like the one I got last week is a special one and I’m glad I got the opportunity to represent my country again,” he said. “It was a pinch me moment. “Family are proud, it’s the biggest honour of my career.
“In hindsight, it wouldn’t have been the most pleasant way to leave the jersey where we did end up,” he added harking back to the quarterfinal.
For Farrell although there were several possibilities – second row forward James Ryan had for a long time been seen as the successor to Sexton – in the end it was a simple call to make.
“As far as natural fit and natural leaders and coming from what we’ve come from before with Johnny, he’s the type of leader that is the same,” said Farrell.
“In the sense that he’s just being himself and being your natural self is what they call being authentic these days, isn’t it, it’s very easy to follow.”