Peter O’Mahony says Munster team mate Conor Murphy has sealed a special place in Lions folklore after being handed the captaincy for this summer’s tour of South Africa.
Murray will skipper Warren Gatland’s side in the absence of Wales forward Alun Wyn Jones who dislocated his shoulder in Saturday’s warm-up win over Japan at Murrayfield.
And O’Mahony believes the experienced, 89-times capped Ireland scrum-half, who is on his third tour with the British and Irish Lions, will embrace his elevated role with the tourists.
Murray is set to become the 12th Irishman to skipper the Lions, adding his name to formidable former captains from the Emerald Isle like Willie John McBride, Ciaran Fitzgerald and Paul O’Connell.
O’Mahony, who captained the Lions in a first test defeat to New Zealand in 2017, said: “The Lions are a special entity and I am delighted for him. It is an incredible honour.
“The big games that he has played, the experience he has in terms of a third (Lions) tour is legend stuff and he keeps striving to be better.”
Asked if he had any advice for Murray after leading the Lions out against the All Blacks in Auckland four years ago, O’Mahony said: “He’s well able (himself). No better man.
“It’s his third (Lions) tour, he has an incredible amount of caps for them already, an incredible amount of international caps and an incredible amount of experience.
“The amount of work he puts in is incredible. It’s great for him.”
While Murray is poised to go toe-to-toe with the Springboks, O’Mahony is preparing for Ireland’s summer tests against Japan and the USA at The Aviva.
A lack of gametime, particularly during the Six Nations when a red card against Wales saw him serve a three match ban, ensured the 31-year-old would miss out on a second Lions tour.
But the seasoned forward is relishing being part of Andy Farrell’s young panel which includes 13 uncapped players and insists he wasn’t tempted to take a break at the end of a long season.
Ireland face Japan in Dublin on Saturday before welcoming The Eagles to the same venue the following weekend.
“I didn’t play a huge amount of rugby in the Six Nations and I was keen to be involved,” said O'Mahony.
“The energy levels are very high and it’s great to feed off the energy of the uncapped players.
“Every time you come into Irish camp, it’s an incredibly special time and something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. We are incredibly enthusiastic to get selected.”
