THE end of every sporting season is always an appropriate time for reflection. Tomas O’Leary’s three year stint with London Irish is nearly over, but the scrum half will fondly recall what has been a richly ‘positive experience’.
Injury is likely to rule O’Leary out of Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash with Wasps which is a pity, but oozing all things Cork O’Leary is enthusiastic about returning Leeside. “It will be great to get home, I’m looking forward to going back to Cork with my wife Julie,” O’Leary told The Irish Post. “It is a few months down the line so until then I want to enjoy Richmond and London.
“It is fantastic to be going back to Cork - to my family - so of course it will be nice. I was born and bred in Cork and that is where I started out as a professional rugby player.
“The change of scenery was good for me. Playing at a new club and experiencing living in London was a bonus. I was able to see the benefits it brings and we had a brilliant time here. We made loads of new friends and in the future I look forward to coming back here to see them. It has been a very positive experience.”
Challenges have come thick and fast for O’Leary throughout his career. Following his switch to London Irish O’Leary had to be resilient and resourceful when dealing with setbacks. “In my first season I missed out through injury for a large part of it so that was disappointing. When you go to a new club you’d like to get off to a good start so that was difficult, but it is part of rugby.
“What defines you as a rugby player is how you react and I felt I had a good year in my second season coming through pretty much unscathed playing in most games. When you aren’t playing of course it can be frustrating, but it has been a great experience playing for London Irish.”
What about the Exiles’ future? “This has been a disappointing campaign for London Irish results wise, but behind the scenes things are happening which is encouraging,” O’Leary admits. “A new coaching set up is coming to the club, the future is bright especially when you look at the quality of the players that will be here next season.”
London Irish have made no secret about their desire to attract promising talent across the water again. “Every individual case is different,” O’Leary says when asked about the prospect of youngsters joining London Irish to develop. “They do seem intent on having a good relationship with the IRFU again. With the four provinces in Irish rugby there is a good system in place, but I think London Irish offers a real opportunity to guys who might slip through the net. There is an opportunity there to develop something and I think that it could turn into an extremely positive relationship for the club.”
Returning to the fabled blood red shirt of Munster is next on O’Leary’s agenda. How will it differ from before? “I’m not going back to exactly the same scenario,” O’Leary reckons. “Definitely there is the same ethos and characteristics at Munster. I grew up playing there so obviously I know all about the culture and what is demanded there.
“Quite a few players I played with have left so I’ve yet to meet a number of players so it will be slightly different. I know what Munster is about so I will still be well prepared.”
