Catching Up With O’Callaghan
19th February 2015 By Munster Rugby
Munster’s most capped player Donncha O’Callaghan reflects Munster’s fruitful exploits in the Guinness PRO12 last weekend, but stresses the need for further strong performances across the squad in this current four week block.
Round 14 at Irish Independent Park in Cork saw Munster score three tries and run out convincing winners over Cardiff Blues. While the second-row acknowledges it wasn’t a perfect performance with certain areas needing improvement, he feels it’s important to take stock of all that was good in the win.
“It was great. We’ll be tough on each other with the things we need to improve on but you also have to praise the things that went really well.
“It was really encouraging the way we tried to play, the heads-up rugby, looking for space as opposed going for the pre-rehearsed plans and moves. I thought the backs were super, in particular JJ Hanrahan, Keith Earls who is just superb at the moment and Ronan O’Mahony who for me has been the player of the season for us and I thought he was incredible again.”
The Cork-man also drew some parallels between his development and that of the impressive academy prospect Jack O’Donoghue. The number 8 scored Munster’s second try last Saturday night and will join the senior ranks at the beginning of next season.
“He’s great, he’s super around the environment and he’s a leader already. He’s bringing on the guys in the Academy with him, his mates that he’s hung around with, they’ve seen him make it and they’ll think ‘Jack’s made the jump so I can too’. That’s great and I remember for us Peter Stringer started to get picked and a few of us said if ‘Strings’ is getting picked then I can put my hand up too.
“You can’t beat that, the home-grown guys that care. Rugby in many places is turning into a budget game but as long as we’ve got guys that care we’ll be alright.”
As we head in to the business end of the season, the 35 year old discusses his unyielding desire for success in the red of Munster.
“The PRO12 is massively important and success is what it’s all about. We’ve seen Damien Varley having to retire this week and it brings it home – you have a short window and you need to be really selfish within it to grab what you can.”
With a number of international representatives unavailable for selection, opportunity presents itself again this weekend for a number of emerging players
“We’ve a massive four week block now where we lose the likes of Conor, Pete and Paulie so it’s up to the other guys to step up now and put in massive performances to ensure that we’re in the shake-up.
“We take it game by game and this week all we can think of is Scarlets. I respect them massively, they always put in massive performances and they go beyond themselves.”
Scarlets v Munster, Guinness PRO12 Round 15, Saturday February 21st at Parc y Scarlets – KO 2:40pm.
This game will be televised on Sky Sports while you can also follow the action on Twitter: @munsterrugby #ScaVMun
