U20s: Getting To Know Mike O’Donnell

We catch up with Munster Under 20 player Mike O’Donnell who is currently taking part in the Munster Rugby Talent Camp at Rockwell College.

Having previously represented his province at Munster Schools and Munster Under 19s level, this is Mike’s third consecutive year in the Talent Camp programme as he prepares for the upcoming interprovincials this September.

A former student at Limerick’s Crescent College Comprehensive, Mike was part of the squad that claimed the Munster Schools Senior Cup last March for Crescent’s second consecutive year.

Speaking about the Talent Camp programme Mike outlined the Munster Under 20 squads’ schedule, progress to date and some of the training demands.

“In my opinion we’re a lot fresher this year. Training last year was much tougher but I think we’re able to train a lot harder this time round because we have an extra bit of time off.

“I’m really enjoying some of the drills like decision making, executing space and finding space. Getting my tackle technique right can be more of a challenge because I think the physical battle of the game is increasing every year. That’s why it’s good to get back here – you have to get your body well in shape before the interpros get started so we have been doing plenty of gym sessions to target this.

“As a squad we’ve gelled fairly well at this stage. We’ve played with each other up through the years so we know each other fairly well now. We’ve two full academy players and we’ve another few sub-academy players returning to the squad this year which gives us some extra depth."

The Munster U20s will play their first interprovincial warm-up game this Friday, 8th August, against their Italian counterparts at Garryowen FC (kick-off 7pm).

This precedes a tour to Clermont where they take on the host club as well as Leicester U20s ahead of September’s interprovincial series.

“Hopefully I’ll make the trip first of all”, said Mike commenting on selection. "We had a taster last year when we travelled to Leicester with the Munster Under 19s. We played Leicester and Clermont and we’ve those two matches again this year.

“I think the intensity of the games will be way up this year. With the new scrum laws you are allowed to push as much as you want so physically it will be different. We’ll have to step up to the mark from that perspective but hopefully our bodies will be in shape and our fitness level will have increased after Talent Camp training to cope with the challenges.”

Getting to know Mike O’Donnell

Date of Birth: 29th May 1995 (Age 19).

Position: Prop.

Club/School: Garryowen/Crescent College Comp.

Munster Honours: Munster U18 Schools, Munster U19s

Ireland Honours: Ireland U19 Schools

School Year: Just finished my Leaving Cert this year.

Favourite Food: Bacon & Cabbage.

Favourite TV programme: Modern Family.

Favourite Film: Leathal Weapon.

Favourite Actor/Actress: Eddie Murphy.

Favourite Song/Band: Mumford & Sons.

Most enjoyable holiday location: Portugal.

Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: My phone.

Favourite sport other than rugby: Golf.

The sport you least like: Badminton.

Person you would most like to meet: Paul O’Connell.

Sportsperson you admire most: Cian Healy.

Hobbies: Horseriding & GAA.

Where and when did you first play rugby: I first played rugby for Garryowen Under 10s.

Best advice you have been given: My head coach at Schools Senior Cup (Tony Trehy) advised me to go into the prop position which has built me up for the Munster Under 20s this year.

Other sports that you played: Hurling and Football.

Munster Rugby player you admire most: BJ Botha.

Rugby team you admire most: Munster.

Sporting event you would most like to attend: Heineken Cup Final.

How do you like to pass away the time in between training: Spend it with my girlfriend or with my friends just chilling out.

Who would you would invite to a BBQ and why: My best friend Cormac because I’ve known him since I was two years old and Jamie Oliver to do the cooking.

Interprovincial Fixtures 2014

Munster U20

5th/6th Sept. 2014 Leinster v Munster (venue TBC)
12th/13th Sept. 2014 Munster v Connacht (venue TBC)
19th/20th Sept. 2014 Munster v Ulster (venue TBC)

Munster U20 Management Team

Manager – Graham Burns
Head Coach – Peter Malone
Assistant Coach – Keith Murphy
Assistant Coach/Scrum Coach – Conor Twomey
Strength and Conditioning – Feargal O'Callaghan