O’Donnell Set For 100
22nd April 2015 By Munster Rugby
Should he feature for Munster against Benetton Treviso this weekend, Tommy O’Donnell will earn his 100th cap for the province.
Tommy is in line to become the eighth player of the current squad to reach the 100 cap milestone, alongside Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Denis Hurley, Donnacha Ryan, Damien Varley, Billy Holland and Keith Earls.
A native of Tipperary, the back row first took to the rugby field at Clanwilliam FC, going on to represent Ireland Youths, U19 and U20, and was part of the U20 Grand Slam winning team of 2007.
Another graduate of the Munster Rugby Academy, fittingly, Tommy could hit the century mark in Cork, having made his Munster debut at the old Musgrave Park against Scarlets in 2007. Coincidentally it was also against the Welsh outfit that he made his Heineken Cup debut – at Thomond Park in December 2011. Strong performances saw him selected for his first European start four months later when Munster welcomed Ulster to Limerick for the quarter-final stage of the competition.
In the senior set-up since 2009, he featured in Munster’s famous win over Australia in 2010 and was named Munster's Player of the Year after a hugely impressive 2012/13 campaign. Despite suffering two injuries that season, the then 25 year old impressed in each of his 21 outings, scoring four tries in the process to win the award ahead of Dave Kilcoyne and Simon Zebo.
Still a key figure in the Munster pack with his trademark explosive runs, the 27 year old could become the first player to win the prestigious accolade for the second time. After 17 appearances so far this season – including 6 European starts and a try against Sale Sharks – the flanker has been nominated alongside Billy Holland and his fellow back-rower CJ Stander. Nominated by their peers on the senior squad, the overall winner will be decided by a public vote with the result announced at this year’s Munster Rugby Awards next Thursday. Click here to vote.
In tandem with his provincial career, the Tipperary native has steadily progressed through the ranks of international rugby also. Cutting his teeth with the Irish Wolfhounds against the England Saxons in January 2013, the following summer saw Tommy win his first full international cap against the USA and score his 1st international try against Canada a week later.
The openside featured twice in Ireland’s victorious 6 Nations campaign of 2014 – against Scotland and Wales – and this year scored a try on his first start of the championship – against Italy in Rome. The Munster-man also played a pivotal role in Ireland’s win over England at the Aviva in March and most recently was part of the travelling squad that accepted the 2015 6 Nations trophy on the pitch in Murrayfield.
Speaking after training yesterday, Tommy looked ahead to what could be his 100th outing in the red of Munster.
“They’re (Treviso) a very physical side with some very talented Italian internationals in their ranks who can be very dangerous. We need to approach every game like it’s a knock out with points being so vital at this stage of the season and this weekend we need to match their physicality and take the intensity to a level where we can score tries. Treviso have the ability to catch teams out with their plays and strike runners so we need to prepare accordingly.
“We can’t afford any slip-ups this weekend so it’s nice to be at home, playing here in Irish Independent Park with hopefully a full crowd to cheer us on.”
Follow the #HomeRun and be there to show your support as Munster continue their bid for play-off
qualification this Saturday, against Benetton Treviso at Irish Independent Park – KO 3.05pm.
Tickets from just €;15 for Adults and €;30 for Families (2 adults & 2 kids) can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.
