Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony signs new deal with Munster

The 34-year-old has been locked in negotiations over recent months, but he is set to play on into next season.

O'Mahony had been expected to lose his IRFU central contract, but having agreed a fresh deal with Munster, the news will come as a major relief to the province, with the talismanic back-row still a vital leader for both club and country.

The Cork man gave up the Munster captaincy last year, with Tadhg Beirne expected to take over, but he was then appointed Ireland skipper by Andy Farrell, and recently led his country to the Six Nations title.

O'Mahony's decision to extend his playing career means that he remains available for selection for Ireland, ahead of this summer's tour to South Africa.

To date, the Cork Con man has made 291 professional rugby appearances which includes 182 for Munster, 105 for Ireland and 4 for the Lions, the latter of which saw O’Mahony receive a Lions cap when he led the side in the first Test against the All Blacks in June 2017.

O'Mahony has won two league titles with Munster and five Six Nations titles with Ireland, captaining Munster and Ireland to URC and Six Nations in the past 12 months.

A former PBC student, O’Mahony joined the Academy in 2008 and made his debut away to Ulster as a 21-year-old in 2010.

He won his first league title with Munster in 2011 and in 2012 made his Ireland debut along with winning Munster’s Young Player of the Year award.

O'Mahony was named club captain in 2013 and was his home province's longest-serving captain of the professional era, stepping down from the role after over 10 years.

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.