Munster Receive Boost With O’Donnell Contract Extension

Tommy O’Donnell first made his competitive debut against the Scarlets in Cork in 2007 and has gone on to make 101 appearances for the province, scoring 13 tries. It was against the same Welsh side that the 28-year-old Munster Academy graduate made his first European appearance in December 2011 at Thomond Park.

One of eight players with over 100 caps in the current Munster squad, the flanker was named the Munster Rugby Player of the Year in May 2013 and deservedly went on to make his Ireland debut that June against the USA.

O’Donnell has represented Ireland on nine occasions to date, has made two for the Ireland Wolfhounds and played in the Emerging Ireland team’s Nations Cup-winning campaign in June 2014.

Although the Tipperary man is currently rehabbing a hip injury he sustained during Ireland’s Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Wales in August, the player himself has expressed his delight at the latest contract extension.

O’Donnell, who is in line to return for Munster in the New Year, said: “I am delighted to sign up with up my home province for a further three years. In committing for such a period I can focus on the job at hand, getting back to full fitness, while knowing I have the opportunity to make a difference and help towards shaping the future of this squad.”

In a week that saw CJ Stander also sign a contract extension, the Munster squad and supporters will be further boosted by this latest news. 

Head coach Anthony Foley added: “To see guys like CJ and now Tommy committing to Munster is great for everyone involved. We all know what Tommy is capable of here, and as a dynamic and powerful player we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch soon.

“He leads this group through his work ethic and professional approach, so to have someone with those values continue with us bodes well for the future.”