Watch: Munster star delights pupils as he visits daughter's Cork school with URC cup

A national school in Cork was a sea of red this morning when Munster rugby players Peter O’Mahony and Alex Kendellen made a visit with the URC trophy with their team having become the the first ever Irish side to win the championships in South Africa last month.

Munster and Ireland rugby player, Peter O’Mahony, is used to being grilled by the media. However, he had to watch his step at Scoil Bhride Eglantine NS in Douglas in the city where his daughter Indie is a pupil.

He might have expected a few soft questions but it was a tricky morning as he fielded queries from respectively the niece and daughter of retired rugby players Anthony Horgan and Frankie Sheahan.

O’Mahony was keeping tight lipped on who was his favourite of the two former Munster and Ireland players. However, he admitted that he could “tell a few stories” about both men.

The celebration came hot on the heels of the province's landmark South African victory. 

Peter’s daughter Indie was among 400 pupils who gathered at the school’s assembly hall for a glimpse of the coveted silverware.

Munster beat the Stormers in South Africa on a 19-14 score line last month, scooping the Irish province's first trophy in more than a decade. Peter’s teammate Alex Kendellen was also on hand for the presentation. 

The 33 year old, who has won the Six Nations four times and the Triple Crown twice, encouraged the young girls at the school to participate in sport stressing that it was important for their health.

It was established that he knew the grandfather of one pupil as his grandmother bought meat from his butcher shop. Another little girl told O’Mahony that her mother once spoke to him and he chuckled and jested that she was “a very lucky woman.” He said that it really was “a small world” as every second pupil had relatives who knew him or his family.

The duo welcomed questions from students and enjoyed artwork made by the pupils specifically for the occasion. 

His daughter’s was just one of a number of schools the Munster Captain visited. 

He and Alex also delighted pupils at Gaelscoil na Dúglaise, St Anthony’s Boys’ School in Ballinlough and Ballintemple National School with a memorable visit.

Rosie O’Shea, who is a teacher at Scoil Bhríde Eglantine national school said the visit had inspired a number of pupils keen to pursue a career in sport.

“Everyone fed off the buzz so they were all involved and interested,” she said. 

“The pupils learned that it’s not about luck and you don’t just win a trophy. It all comes down to years of graft and hard work. This doesn’t just apply to rugby. This advice was relevant to anything that would be considered important to them. 

"We recently marked Active Schools Week by encouraging the girls to try out sports they might not normally have thought of trying. Sport is so good for the body and the mind so we try to encourage it as much as possible.” 

Staff at the school including Ger O'Brien and Vice-Principal Ms Jennifer O'Shea are also actively promoting female sporting role models.

“Our fourth-class pupils previously had the opportunity to watch the Irish Women’s Rugby team train and it was great for them to have a chance to get up close and personal with those involved. There is a huge history of sport in the school. 

"It’s crazy to have children in your class and then see them years later as Olympians. Gymnast Meg Ryan and rower Margaret Cremen are just some of the past pupils who have gone on to achieve huge success in their careers.”

Meanwhile, Alex Kendellen (22) said winning the URC trophy was “pretty special.” He said to finish off with the trophy in the sixth game was a dream come true.