O’Donnell’s Time To Shine

Tommy O’Donnell received the Munster Player of the Year award last Friday at the Maryborough Hotel in Cork, topping off an impressive season for the young Clanwilliam man.

"It’s been a fantastic year, I was absolutely delighted to be nominated with the lads that were there with me (Kilcoyne and Zebo), and then just delighted to win it."

Securing his place in the back-row in the biggest games of the year was an achievement in itself with the competition for places as high as ever. "I don’t think your place is ever cemented, you’ve to keep working at it but I’m delighted with the season, the way it went and the run of games I got. The season probably ended a small bit prematurely for us, but I’m delighted with how my own season went."

And all going well Tommy’s recent form will lead to a touring spot with Ireland, “I would love to be involved with one of the sides to be announced, on whichever tour, and I would really look forward to it. It would be great to finsih the year out in a green jersey".

O'Donnell believes Munster will continue to progress and is looking forward to the new season already. "There are a lot of positives going forward and moving in to next year, a lot of young players coming through and a lot of young players claiming positions this year. I think the future is very bright. I’m really looking forward to next year and can’t wait to come back and start into it, and just get a full pre-season and see where we go from there."

And when he's looking for a break from rugby there's nothing like a bit of inter-country rivalry when it moves into championship season and Tommy is backing the men of Tipp, "I think it’s going to be an excellent summer of hurling for Tipperary and I think we’ll look good at the back-end of September!"