The Ireland fans, and players, were not letting Peter O'Mahony go quietly into the Roman night.
Ireland managed to give O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy (not selected but travelling with the squad) a winning send-off at Stadio Olimpico. Simon Easterby's side struggled for long stretches, against Italy, before closing out a 22-17 win.
O'Mahony and Murray came off the bench in the second half and both received rousing welcomes, from home and away fans, when they took to the field. After the final whistle, thousands of Irish fans hung around the stadium, singing 'Fields of Athenry' as a send-off to the squad and their retiring trio.
Plenty of Ireland fans have stayed back… Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray getting a great ovation on their farewells. pic.twitter.com/XGD1p5Nzre
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) March 15, 2025
Following Ireland's win over Italy, captain Caelan Doris told RTÉ he was relieved the team could see off O'Mahony, Murray and Healy with a victory.
"We were pretty inaccurate, especially in the first half, overplayed a little bit in out half and weren't clean with ball in hand and a couple of last passes we didn't convert. Some disappointing bits in there but we got our five points," he said.
"There’s three legends leaving the group so at least we got the result for them and we can enjoy a few beers tonight with them. The impact they have on our environment is huge. It’ll be a tough loss."
While Doris showed his affection for Peter O'Mahony with his post-match words, Finlay Bealham was more effusive, and gat-crashing than that.
Ireland players, from left, Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)
Finlay Bealham crashes Peter O'Mahony interview
In his final mixed zone interview as an Ireland player, Peter O'Mahony was happy to give each reporter time, despite the understandable urge to go and meet up with family and friends.
In the bowels of Stadio Olimpico, O'Mahony spoke with Stephen Watson from the BBC when his interview was gate-crashed by Finlay Bealham. It was an act the younger O'Mahony would not have tolerated, but he is clearer mellowing as he winds down his storied rugby career.
"I'm not talking to you," he told Bealham, as he refused the hug request. "Sorry about him."
Finley Bealham prova a mettere in imbarazzo Peter O'Mahony ai microfoni della BBC 😂 pic.twitter.com/CqZV8wUguW
— Lorenzo Calamai (@lorenzocalamai) March 15, 2025
Jamie Heaslip backs Maro Itoje for Lions captain
While Peter O'Mahony is very, very much a British & Irish Lions squad outsider, Caelan Doris looks certain to tour Australia.
Ahead of the final round's matches, Jamie Heaslip told RTÉ that Maro Itoje would be his pick for Lions captain. He said:
I have Caelan touring, and probably starting the Tests. In terms of captain, it probably has to be someone that has previously been on a Lions tour. It also has to be someone who is a shoe-on to start. I think someone like Maro Itoje fits that profile... That's no shot, at all, at Caelan, as a player or captain."
Stephen Ferris said he was leaning towards Itoje as Lions captain, though he did mention Wales flanker Jac Morgan as an outside candidate.
As for Itoje himself, he told the BBC, "It would be great, but it's not within my control."
Itoje captained England to four wins from five and joked he would be singing 'The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond' when Scotland took on championship favourites France, in Paris.
SEE ALSO: Rassie Erasmus Reveals Key Reason He Rejected English Club For Munster Job
