O’Mahony Cannot Wait for Clermont Challenge

Munster are hoping to write another chapter in their ever expanding victory book this weekend, as they take on Clermont in the Heineken Cup Semi Final. A win in Clermont would go down as one of the greatest victories the side has ever had.

With Morgan Parra, Wesley Fofana, Nathan Hines, Brock James and David Skrela being just a few of the internationals to play for the French side, it is easy to see how big of a task it will be for Munster to go over to France and win. Clermont lost the semi final last year to Leinster, which will make them even more determined to win on Saturday. Clermont are top of the Top14 in France, have won all their home games this season, and will be extremely tough but not impossible to beat. If Munster play like they did against Harlequins, fans could be treated to another epic day for the province.

One of the most positive aspects of this season for Munster has been the emergence of their young players and in particular Peter O’Mahony.

O’Mahony is one of Munster’s strongest assets, and has a very impressive CV. At the age of just twenty three O’Mahony has been the recipient of the Younger Player of the Year award, captained the province, played twelve times at international level, and was part of the side that beat Australia on possibly the coldest and wettest night in Thomond Park in 2010. Fans were delighted in the earlier part of the year when O’Mahony signed a two year contract with the province, which sees him remain with the team until 2015.

O’Mahony is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead ” This is where we judge ourselves you know, in the European Cup this is where we want to be at. It will be my first semi final. It is a huge milestone for my career and I can’t wait to get stuck in”

With the game being in France and away from home and against such a strong and dangerous team, O’Mahony has described this game as the toughest game of his career “It’s a semi final of a European Cup you know? Obviously you have international rugby and that is a different thing. This is my first semi final and will be my hardest game”

American writer Napoleon Hill once wrote “Desire is the starting point of all achievement not a hope not a wish but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything”

O’Mahony and his team mates want this victory in France and to continue on their quest for victory. That belief and overwhelming desire for success for the squad , management and supporters was made evident in the Stoop a few weeks ago, when Munster played the best they had they had for a long time. That desire, and hunger remains and has grown even stronger over the last few weeks , and should drive Munster to yet another Heineken Cup Final.