Members of Young Munster RFC are delighted with Paul O’Connell’s appointment as captain of the 2009 British & Irish Lions squad. O’Connell, who first made his name with the Limerick club, keeps close ties with the Cookies and his first Lions Test jersey from 2005 hangs proudly in the clubhouse.
In an interview with TV3 Sport, Young Munster President Declan Edwards spoke of the pride felt around Tom Clifford Park as news spread of Paul O’Connell’s appointment as Lions captain.
Recalling his early days with Munsters, he said: “Paul was a super talent. You could see what an athlete he was.
“With his rise to success, obviously the club name has gone with him and we’re very proud of him here.
“He’s a leader, he’s a born leader. You can see that with Munster.
“Whereas Brian O’Driscoll is a super captain as well, I just feel that Paul’s position in the pack is something that the Lions management are looking for in terms of a captain.
“Of old and historically they have gone for a forward and that obviously helped him. He’s the right man for the job.”
And the Cookies received a further boost when another of their Munster and Ireland-capped players, centre Keith Earls, was included in the 37-man Lions squad.
Thomond will also deservedly share in Earls’ delight, with him having roots with the club also.
The 29-year-old O’Connell was unavailable to attend Young Munster’s nail-biting 17-14 win over UCD last Saturday, which maintained their Division One status in the AIB League, but he was in touch with Edwards via text message throughout the afternoon.
The Munster skipper last lined out for Young Munster’s first team in January 2008 when he made his comeback from a back injury which had sidelined him since the Rugby World Cup.
O’Connell had a 35-minute run-out that day at a muddy Greenfields as the Cookies claimed a 12-10 win over Buccaneers.
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