At half-time of Ireland’s fiercely contested Six Nations game against England, two visiting rugby writers from across the Irish Sea discussed a player who had tore into their Grand Slam chasers.
“I’ll tell you what,” one said to the other, “that Peter O’Mahony is a bloody good player.”
It’s funny what a long-term injury can do to a player’s stock. During Peter O’Mahony’s time out, recovering from a knee injury, players like CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy and Josh van der Flier all played blindside for Ireland.
When he got back fit, after almost a year out, he impressed for Munster but could not force his way back into the Ireland side. He captained his country against Canada but had to settle for that impact sub role. Impact was what he brought, every time he was unleashed from the bench.
Last night, less than five minutes before Ireland lined up for the anthems at the Aviva Stadium, Joe Schmidt told CJ Stander to give O’Mahony the No.6 jersey. Jamie Heaslip had been ruled out with a hamstring injury and a late, late re-jig was required.
It worked out well in the end. Extremely well.
While Stander did a good job at No.8 and Dan Leavy impressed off the bench, O’Mahony was a man possessed. He ripped into England from the first peep of Jerome Garces’ whistle. He was still there at the death, battering and barracking away.
12 tackles, 10 carries, a great asset in the lineout and two turnovers secured, including one brilliant lineout steal off an English throw in the final quarter.
Christy Moore will have to write a song about the Lineout..
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) March 18, 2017
When his name was announced as man of the match, O’Mahony simply nodded to his teammates. The crowd bellowed its approval.
Following the game, Eddie Jones backed up the words of that awestruck English journalist – “O’Mahony is a bloody good player.”
Those English writers had nothing but respect for the Cork native’s performance and many claimed it was more than enough to book him a spot on the Lions tour to New Zealand.
Just how good was Peter O'Mahony v England. Defiance. Was meant to be on the bench. After y'day's heroics, he should be on the Lions tour. https://t.co/shZ2qDaG3A
— Dan Roan (@danroan) March 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/843189508573200387
Peter O'Mahony now being talked up for @lionsofficial after today's performance. Just shows one good game and you're in contention. #Lions pic.twitter.com/DPkQGg8VMN
— James Lauren (@_jameslt) March 18, 2017
Warren Gatland names his Lions squad on Wednesday, April 19 and O’Mahony will have another chance to impress when he leads Munster in their Champions Cup quarter final against Toulouse.
He flung his name into the mix and helping to see of the French giants may even put him in the Lions captaincy conversation.
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