Jack O’Donoghue ‘hungry’ to make up for his lost time with Munster as he savours Déise win over Rebels
Munster's Jack O’Donoghue attempts to get past Mpilo Gumede of Vodacom Bulls during their recent URC tie at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Shaun Roy/Sportsfile
All the while Munster are putting in the hours on the training pitch in South Africa, a two-week tour also allows plenty of down-time to enjoy.
A busy weekend schedule meant that Jack O’Donoghue didn’t manage to catch Waterford’s win over Cork last Sunday, but the Déise man made sure he caught up with the highlights before himself and Tom Ahern enjoyed some slagging of their team-mates from the Rebel County.
“It was great to see championship hurling in Walsh Park,” O’Donoghue (30) said.
“It was a glorious day, it was proper Munster hurling, which was really good, and to get a win in the first round was special. I look forward to getting home and seeing round two.
“The Cork lads are a bit sour, they wouldn’t take a beating too well, so they wouldn’t! They said they are planning for next year.”
O’Donoghue was excellent in Munster’s win over the Bulls last weekend, as the versatile back-row, who is nearing his 200th game for his home province, continues to make up for lost time, having missed a chunk of the season due to a knee injury that initially looked like it could end his campaign.
Munster will fly to Johannesburg tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Lions, as Graham Rowntree’s men aim to complete the double in South Africa.
“I think the biggest thing we took away from last year’s trip was how close we became as a group, and I think that was a big factor in us going on and winning the Championship,” O’Donoghue added.
“I suppose the last three months were frustrating for me because I hadn’t played properly since the Connacht match on the first day of the year.
“So, for me, I am unbelievably hungry. I know there are only a handful of games left in the season and I have been able to have a mini pre-season within the season through the injury.
“I know that I am fit, I am feeling strong, and I am attacking these last games because I am fresh. I am able to really add something to the group,” he concluded.
