MUNSTER HAVE been handed a huge boost ahead of their crunch Champions Cup tie with Leicester Tigers this weekend with the news that captain Peter O’Mahony has signed a new three-year-deal with the province and the IRFU.
O’Mahony had been linked with a move away when his current deal ended in the summer but has given fans an early Christmas present by committing his future to Munster and Ireland for the foreseeable future.
Commenting on the news, O’Mahony said: “I am absolutely delighted to commit my future to Munster and Ireland for the next 3 years.
“I’m very proud of where I am from and I am really excited about what we are building down in Munster right now.
“Playing for my country is something I dreamed of growing up as a boy, so I cherish each occasion I am lucky enough to take to the field in an Irish jersey.
“I look forward to building on what has been achieved to date with the rest of the Irish squad and management team.”
O’Mahony made his Munster debut in 2010 against Ulster and was quickly earmarked as a future captain of the province and Ireland.
To date, he has won 42 caps for his country with his last appearance in green coming against Argentina in the recent 28-19 Guinness Series victory. O’Mahony also captained the British and Irish Lions in the first test against New Zealand last summer.
The news is great news for Munster on the back of Simon Zebo’s impending exit at the end of the season and the loss of Donnacha Ryan to Racing 92 last summer.
“We are delighted that Peter has signed this IRFU contract that will see him remain with us until 2021,”Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said.
“I know the squad and supporters will all be pleased to see our captain, a proud Munster man, commit his future to the province and Irish Rugby.
“It is always a huge boost when we can retain our home-grown talent and I know all parties have worked very hard in retaining Peter’s services.”
IRFU Performance Director, David Nucifora also spoke when the news of O’Mahony’s new contract broke, saying: “Peter has had to travel a tough road since the 2015 Rugby World Cup where a serious injury kept him out of action for a prolonged period.
“He has returned to form for both Munster and Ireland and as captain of Munster is a key leader within their environment.”
