The IRFU confirmed on Thursday that Peter O'Mahony would be retiring along with Conor Murray and Cian Healy from international rugby at the end of the year. All three were legends of Ireland rugby but O'Mahony will be particularly missed. When we think back to his many famous performances for Ireland, it's that night in Paris at the 2023 Rugby World Cup that really stands out. O'Mahony won his 100th cap that night. He also had Scotland wrapped completely around his finger. He had strong words for the Scotland team after that victory and he carried that joy through Ireland's win at Murrayfield this month. The wheels would come off the Ireland World Cup chariot a week later, but that win against Scotland was a mountaintop.
Here's how we covered the result of the match on the night.
The Ireland victory over Scotland would have been a special occasion for every player on the pitch, but for Peter O'Mahony the game had a bit of added significance.
The Munster man was making his 100th appearance for Ireland, marking the night with a top class performance and well deserved team victory. The 34-year-old was absolutely immense throughout.
O'Mahony has long been the emotional leader in this Irish team, something that was the case once again on this occasion. When things threatened to boil over at one stage in the second half, he was very much stuck in the middle of things.
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Scotland players fighting each other to swap jerseys with Peter O'Mahony on his 100th cap night. pic.twitter.com/N3qrHkNFHA
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 7, 2023
That was never in question.
After the game, he shared a nice moment with his kids on the pitch.
A top man.
Peter O'Mahony takes swipe at Scotland after big win
Even if this was an emotional occasion for Peter O'Mahony, he made sure to stand up for his teammates after the final whistle.
Dan Sheehan was subjected to a very poor push from Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman during the scuffle mentioned above, with the Cork man quick to point out Scotland's failings in other areas of the game.
Speaking to Virgin Media after the game, he said that Scotland failed to back up their big talk earlier in the week.
🗣 "I thought I was going to be all over the place with nerves.
🗣 "I consider myself very lucky. The clubs, schools and province I've been involved in.
🗣 "Scotland had said they had figured us out. I don't think they did tonight.
- Peter O'Mahony ☘️#IREvSCO #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/ledLpj0N50— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 7, 2023
It's part and parcel of rugby (the scuffle), it's a physical game.
They were in the press beforehand saying they were going to knock us off and end our streak, how they figured us out and worked us out.
I don't think they did to be honest with you.
Dead right.
Scotland have been known to talk a big game in the past, just as they did prior to this fixture. However, as has so often been the case, they failed to back that up on the pitch.
Peter O'Mahony certainly seemed to enjoy watching them fall short once again.
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