Peter O’Mahony: ‘More left in me to give’ – Ireland captain signs new one-year deal with Munster

After he signed a new one-year Munster deal, Peter O’Mahony put an end to rumors about his future and stated that he still had “more left in me to give” for the relay team.

Since he resigned as Munster captain earlier this season, O’Mahony’s future has been in doubt.

Having been elected captain after Johnny Sexton’s retirement, he guided Ireland to their second successive Six Nations championship.

O’Mahony wrote on his Instagram page that it was the “right thing for me to do” to prolong his tenure with Munster.

“I feel there’s more left in me to give,” he stated.

“It’s not every day a young man who grows [up] following two teams, where he was brought up and shaped by, gets the chance to play for both as long as I have and to be given the opportunity to play for another year isn’t an opportunity I could turn down.”

Prior to Ireland’s two-Test series this summer against the reigning world champions South Africa, O’Mahony is available for selection, as confirmed by the contract announced by Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) on Friday.

After leading Ireland to the Six Nations championship, the 34-year-old had stated he would take some time to think about his future.

O’Mahony made his Munster debut in 2017 after captaining the British and Irish Lions against the All Blacks.

He has made 182 appearances and won two league titles with the province, including last season’s United Rugby Championship.

He has won 105 caps for Ireland, winning five Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams.

The Cork native was made Munster captain in 2013 but he stepped away from the role in November.

“All I have ever tried to do is my best for my province and my country and that’s what I’ll continue to do over the remainder of this season and next,” added O’Mahony.

“Who knows what lies ahead, but I’ve had nothing but great years and I will endeavour to make this last chapter of my playing career the best of all.”

Munster were knocked out of the Investec Champions Cup last weekend following a round of 16 defeat by Northampton Saints in what was O’Mahony’s second game since the Six Nations.

Graham Rowntree’s side are currently fourth in the URC table and are next in action on 20 April when they face the Bulls in Pretoria before taking on the Lions in Johannesburg.

O’Mahony’s new deal follows confirmation last week that Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray had extended his spell with the province.