PETER O’Mahony’s wife Jessica joked he was “loving retirement” while holding all three of their children in a cute snap.
The 35-year-old did of course play his final competitive game in Munster’s URC play-off elimination on May 31.
At first glance it appears he’s only holding eldest Indie and youngest Ralph…[/caption]
But on closer inspection middle child Theo is also hanging out[/caption]
Jessica never passes up a chance to slag off ‘Pierre’[/caption]
Peter yesterday shared that he took a chunk of Munster’s changing room home with him[/caption]
Technically he does still have one game left before he hangs up his boots as he’ll line out for the Barbarians in an exhibition versus South Africa on June 28.
But being a stay-at-home dad is the new normal for the Reds warrior. Not that he’ll be very idle though.
Only a few days ago he embarked upon a “big weekend of planting” where he lay down 300 new plants across his beloved lawn.
Unfortunately, that weekend was wide open on account of his career with Munster being brought to a painful end in Durban.
In spite of an almighty effort across 100 minutes, the Reds were knocked out of the URC post-season at the quarter-final stage by Sharks following a rare (and contentious) penalty shoot-out.
After drawing 24-24, neither side could find a winning score in extra-time.
The game boiled down to kicks from the 15- and 10-metre lines, where Rory Scannell missed his effort.
The Sharks kicked all six of their attempts. It was also Conor Murray, Stephen Archer and Niall Scannell’s last outing for the province.
Afterwards captain Tadhg Beirne conceded: “It’s going to be a weird place next season without the lads.
“They bleed Munster. It’s gutting to end it like this.”
Munster took the lead after nine minutes when Jack Crowley’s cross-field kick bounced up for Calvin Nash to dive over before the out-half added the extras.
The game burst into life after the break and Sharks’ Ethan Hooker cut in from the right, weaving around the Munster defence to score, with Hendrikse converting and then adding a penalty.
Fineen Wycherley squeezed through a gap to cross, with Crowley’s kick successful.
The Reds extended their lead when Sharks were unable to defend Mike Haley’s kick, allowing Diarmuid Kilgallen to pounce.
But Sharks pulled a try back when Aphelele Fassi crossed, with Hendrikse converting.
Fez Mbatha then struck, as Hendrikse again added the extras.
Murray’s monster penalty levelled matters at 24-24 to send the game to extra time.
Beirne added: “I’m massively proud of the boys. We fought to the bitter end.”
