We’ve heard the same said of Jack O’Donoghue [Munster] and James Ryan [Leinster] in recent years.
Some players show immense promise from early doors and excel at each step up they are asked to take. Others are slow-burners and require time and patience to come right. While Tommy O’Donnell could be considered the latter, Peter O’Mahony is very much the former.
Both men are expected to feature in the Munster back row for this weekend’s Guinness PRO14 clash against Leinster. The back row battle will be one of the most keenly watched, and contested, between the inter-provincial rivals and could play a crucial part in Joe Schmidt settling on the make-up of his strongest Test team.
An insight into how both men finally found their feet at Munster was provided by former Munster academy chief Ian Costello. Now at Nottingham Rugby, Costello recalls his early impressions of both O’Mahony and O’Donnell. He said:
“I remember first coming across Peter O’Mahony at Under 19s when I was coaching the side. His skill level was incredible, his physicality was exceptional.
“This was almost an easy one. He stood out straight away as the captain of that group. Within a week of training, we knew who our captain was going to be.”
What Paul O’Connell recalled about his first encounters with O’Mahony was someone who was fearless and yet totally respectful of the legends within the set-up and the history of the province. It surprised neither O’Connell or Costello to see the Cork native go on to achieve great things in red [Munster], green [Ireland] and red [British & Irish Lions].
O’Donnell had shown similar, earlier promise. Having impressed in underage competitions, O’Donnell won his first senior cap at the age of 20, against Scarlets, in September 2007.
However, over the course of the next four years, the flanker made just six more starts with 15 more appearances off the bench. His mental strength, says Costello, was key.
“Tommy had exploded onto the scene before going back and going a little bit quiet, before exploding again. You’re looking for that presence, and that ability to stand up and make a decision. Will you do something in training – the right thing at the right time – rather than worrying about what others will think?”
Costello adds, “No one wants to see a player who makes a mistake retreating into the background. We love to see the player that makes a mistake and can’t wait to get back and atone for it. That’s what you look out for, and what you see in the top players.”
Mental strength and mental discipline on top of ability. O’Donnell has certainly shown that ever since he first got a run at the openside role he now revels in.
The Clonmel local has played every minute of every game for Munster so far this season. Expect him to go 80+ minutes again against Leinster.
Both men are set to pack down on either side of CJ Stander at the Aviva Stadium for another tough, exacting test. Three different journeys to one impressive back row.
