Some people cannot equate the situation whereby a person can be an animal lover and still enjoy hunting and/or fishing. Yet for a huge number of people – including some very close to home – the two facts co-exist without so much as a whim.
On foot of same, I ended up being in a position to meet two thirds of the greatest Irish back row in modern history – Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony. So, naturally thereafter, a special interest was taken in the careers of both.
For a variety of reasons, Seanie’s never got the glittering conclusion it so richly deserved. However, what’s even more disappointing is that big Pete’s own procrastination in relation to contract negotiations threatens to ruin what should be the time of his sporting life.
He’s just been appointed Ireland Captain, and with the national team and Munster in rude health and Andy Farrell having just been appointed Lions coach you’d think, even with his advancing years, another spin in the ‘other’ red jersey might still be a possibility. A coldly analytical view of the situation might suggest he’s attempting to bite off a little more than he can chew in terms of his contractual demands but that would be totally at odds with what gut instinct would say about the man. While you’d hope that other wild and whirling words swirling around prove to be just that – bovine excrement.
But then, there are people who thrive on making a story where there is none. As things currently stand, contract negotiations are ongoing and as long as the player continues to produce on the pitch there is no need for brouhaha to be drummed up about anything else. What’s more, with Munster exceeding expectations and with Wales potentially in disarray and England not a whole lot better, the Six Nations could potentially be there for the taking for Ireland. They have the right man to lead them. Now all that remains is for him to do his talking on the field.
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