Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Munster's O'Mahony finally admits he can't beat 2017 leg break

By Online Editors
Munster fans have mixed emotions about the exits of Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Munster Rugby have confirmed that Ronan O’Mahony will retire from professional rugby with immediate effect. The winger, who sustained a broken leg and dislocated ankle when playing against Treviso in April 2017, has been advised to quit on medical grounds.

ADVERTISEMENT

O’Mahony said: “I’m heartbroken to be finishing my career earlier that I had expected.  The last two years have been pretty tough since initially breaking my leg, and ultimately the injury has made it impossible for me to continue.

“I take great confidence in knowing the medical team and I have given everything to this and we have done everything possible in looking to regain full fitness.  However, it’s a battle that I’m not going to win and as such I have been forced to call it a day.

“Growing up in Limerick, it was a dream of mine to play for Munster and now to look back over my 20s and realise what I’ve achieved, I’m extremely grateful for every opportunity I had in the red jersey.

“I look back on it all with fantastic memories, from my early days of togging out in Garryowen, to my school days in Castletroy College, and finally the pathway all the way up through the Munster system. 

“Running out at my home ground of Thomond Park, playing in front of family and friends, and representing the people of Munster has meant everything to me. To everyone who has helped me along the way, my family and friends, girlfriend, coaches, teammates and supporters, I can’t thank you enough.

“I’ve been a Munster man all my life, and as a proud Munster man I look forward to supporting the club from the stands.”

ADVERTISEMENT

O’Mahony, who turns 30 next month, made 70 appearances for the province after making his debut against Dragons at Rodney Parade in April 2013. 

He went on to make his European debut against Saracens in January 2015 and was the leading joint try-scorer for the 2016/17 season with 11 tries, crossing the whitewash in Munster’s historic win over the Maori All Blacks in Thomond Park.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 1 | Will Skelton

ABBIE WARD: A BUMP IN THE ROAD

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

New Zealand crowned BACK-TO-BACK champions | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Women's Highlights

Japan Rugby League One | Bravelupus v Steelers | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 7 hours ago
All Blacks sabbaticals ‘damage Super Rugby Pacific when it is fighting for survival’

Sabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.

3 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE How Leinster neutralised 'long-in-the-tooth' La Rochelle How Leinster neutralised 'long-in-the-tooth' La Rochelle
Search