Getting To Know Jack O’Donoghue

Second year Greencore Munster Rugby academy player Jack O’Donoghue rightly received rave reviews for his two-try man-of-the match performance against Scotland in the Under-20s Six Nations opener.

The back-row forward was the stand-out performer as Ireland started the campaign with an impressive 34-7 win over the Scots at Dubarry Park but disappointing defeats to Wales and England have followed.

O’Donoghue missed the England game with concussion but has been cleared to play against Italy on Friday night as the Mike Ruddock-coached 20s look to get back to winning ways.

“I got concussed in training so I had to take the mandatory steps but I’ve been cleared to play,” said O’Donoghue.

“I did everything I could to get fit for it, working hard in the gym and working hard off the pitch as well – doing my study on them to see their strengths and weaknesses and to see where we can really attack them.”

The Waterford man made his B&I Cup debut for Munster A at just 18 away to Rotherham Titans in December 2012 and he's keen to add to that to that solitary appearance in the competition.

“It was great, it was a bit of a shock,” said O’Donoghue. “I didn’t really think I was going to be in there but with a few injuries I got a chance and then Bucks [Shane Buckley] got injured during the game. I got just over 40 minutes so I was delighted with that and hopefully there will be more to come,” he added.

O’Donoghue captained the Munster Under-20s in this season’s Interprovincial series as the desperately unlucky representative side lost all three games by a combined total of just ten points.

He explains: “It was a tough campaign, especially up in Ravenhill when we lost it at the very end. And then against Leinster we let them get ahead of us and we fought back well but missed a kick in the last play to win it.

“Connacht then just wasn’t our day, they got off to a good start and scored a try in the opening minutes and we were chasing the game from then on.”

The 20-year-old plays his club rugby with UL Bohemians in AIL Division 1B and is enjoying a successful season with the Limerick side.

“It’s going well, up until the Six Nations I was playing week in week out with UL Bohs. We’re up to joint-third place in the table and looking maybe for the play-offs to try to get promoted again but I’m happy enough with my own performances,” he said.

Name: Jack O’Donoghue

Favourite Food: Steak

Book you are currently reading or have just finished: The Hunger Games

Favourite TV programme: Modern Family

Favourite Film: Gladiator

Favourite Actor/Actress: Will Ferrell

Most enjoyable holiday location: America

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: The internet

Favourite sport other than rugby: Hurling

The sport you least like: Tennis

Person you would most like to meet: Barack Obama

Sportsperson you admire most: Dan Carter

Hobbies: Golf

Where and when did you first play rugby: Waterpark RFC when I was 9

Biggest influence on career: My parents

Best career advice you were given: To keep working hard

What you like most/least about being a rugby player: I most like meeting new friends and I least like
losing

Other sports that you have played: Hurling, swimming and soccer

Best rugby memory: Going to the 2013 junior World Cup

Rugby player you admire most: Kieran Read

Rugby team you admire most: New Zealand

Sporting event you would most like to attend: The Super Bowl

Three people you would invite to dinner and why: Morgan Freeman for his voice, Jennifer Lawrence
for her looks and Will Ferrell for the Craic.