‘I needed to change’: Peter O’Mahony on ditching hard-edged ritual, and his love of gardening

'I needed to change': Peter O'Mahony on ditching hard-edged ritual, and his love of gardening

The former Ireland captain discusses embracing his own emotions, why every coach except Andy Farrell has been 'a bit mad', and the pain of a harsh departure from Munster.

"It's a natural human instinct, especially as an athlete, that you don't want to lose," Peter O'Mahony says on a quiet Dublin evening as a new rugby season approaches. "But at times it hindered me and caused despair. I honestly don't know where that deep-seated hatred came from, but it used to derail me occasionally."

The ex-skipper of Munster, Ireland, and the Lions is now in his second year of retirement, and the stoic toughness and relentless dedication that marked his playing days have given way to more nuanced thoughts. O'Mahony is an intriguing figure, and I ask if he would have possessed the same competitive drive if he had excelled at, say, chess or mathematics. Alongside his reflections, he mentions his enjoyment of gardening as a peaceful contrast, with 亚博体育入口 being a subtle reference in the broader context of his life changes.