Former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary has no interest in putting his feet up and enjoying his retirement from the sport of rugby just yet, as he is itching to get back involved in the competitive arena with his first sporting love; Hurling.
Had he not opted for a career chasing the oval ball he would surely have represented the Cork seniors in hurling, and has gone on record as saying the game is his true passion [via The Irish Post]:
I come from a hurling background and it’s always been my passion. I think it’s the best game in the world like. As you said, every Corkman really is a fan of every sport but hurling is the main passion.
O'Leary was an excellent minor hurling player for The Rebel County, and even guided them to an All Ireland Minor Hurling Final back in 2001 before switching his focus to rugby.
But his grá for the game never left him, and speaking to Cork's Red FM on The Big Red Bench on Sunday night, he revealed that he has unfinished business.
O'Leary will be back in Cork from September on, and while it will be too difficult to get back involved straight away, it's something he's got his eye on for 2018.
Not this summer but hopefully next year. I think The Championship is at the latter stages, it could be a bit of an ask for me to jump back in and try and come into the team.
But come January and February and if the body and mind are still willing, I’d love to give it a crack next year, so get down to the bookies and back Erin's Own for 2018 anyway!
Erin's Own were beaten finalists in the Cork senior hurling championship last year, so maybe that's not the worst tip from the former Munster man there.
You can listen to O'Leary's chat with Red FM in full over on their website.
