Peter O’Mahony’s contract saga ends as Ireland captain confirms future

Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony after the match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Picture date: Saturday March 16, 2024.

Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony has ended speculation around his future after signing a contract extension, as confirmed by Munster Rugby and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).

The veteran flanker’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current season with reports stating there was a stand-off between Munster and the IRFU over an extension.

Staying at Munster

This led to doubts over the 34-year-old’s future, both at the province and on the international stage, after he captained his country to a Six Nations title this year.

However, the situation has been resolved with the back-rower signing a one-year extension with the side who he debuted for back in 2008.

The Cork Constitution man is nearing 300 professional rugby appearances, having racked up 182 caps for Munster, 105 for Ireland and four for the British and Irish Lions.

A renowned leader, O’Mahony has captained all three of the aforementioned teams and memorably skippered the Lions during the 2017 tour to New Zealand in the opening Test match.

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Stepping down as captain

O’Mahony was first named club captain of Munster back in 2013 and held the role for over 10 years before stepping down earlier this season, making him Munster’s longest-serving captain of the professional era.

His trophy-laden career includes two league titles with Munster and five Six Nations titles with Ireland – in the past 12 months, he captained Munster and Ireland to URC and Six Nations championships.

O’Mahony joined Munster’s academy in 2008 and made his senior debut away to Ulster as a 21-year-old in 2010.

After winning his first league title with Munster in 2011, he made his Test debut for Ireland in 2012, winning Munster’s Young Player of the Year award that year.

He won Munster’s Player of the Year award in 2019 and so far this season has made five appearances for Munster and 11 appearances for Ireland.