Twenty-five-year-old O’Leary was introduced as a substitute in the closing 15 minutes of Munster’s dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday night.
O’Leary suffered an horrific ankle break last April which kept him sidelined for five months and forced the talented scrum-half to miss out on the Lions tour to South Africa.
O’Leary’s return to competitive action comes a week before Munster coach Tony McGahan is due to welcome back his Lions contingent, including captain Paul O’Connell, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, Donncha O’Callaghan and David Wallace, to his squad.
At least some members of the Lions quintet and new South African signing Jean de Villiers are set to feature in Sunday’s Magners League round four clash with the Dragons at Musgrave Park (kick-off 5.05pm).
Scrum-half O’Leary, who played a key role in helping to create Denis Hurley’s crucial late try against the Scarlets, said he was delighted to be back playing competitive rugby.
Former St. Munchin’s College star Hurley showed a terrific burst of pace to bag his 77th minute try - his second of the match - as Munster defeated their Welsh opponents for the eighth straight time. The victory was complete with out-half Jeremy Manning successfully landed the late conversion attempt.
“I’m delighted to be back, delighted to get a run against the Scarlets,” Tomas O’Leary said.
“Of course it was very frustrating, being injured always is. But I’m glad that’s behind me. I felt grand out on the pitch and afterwards, so all in all a good weekend.
“They (the Scarlets) will be gutted, I know, but credit to the lads. They kept it going right to the very end.
“The Scarlets played most of the rugby in the second half, but I suppose we can take a positive in the way we finished.”
It was originally believed that O’Leary would not be back in action until late November or early December and Munster team manager Shaun Payne was quick to hand out praise for his extraordinary recovery.
“Tomas has shown tremendous professionalism and dedication in getting himself back playing and great credit is due to him and to the work done by our medical and fitness staff,” Shaun Payne said.
“It is of course great to see him back, particularly after the injury he sustained.”
O’Leary was not named in Munster’s extended squad for the trip to Parc y Scarlets, but when Peter Stringer’s calf injury did not respond well enough to treatment to allow him make the trip, O’Leary came into the reckoning.
Starting scrum-half in Wales, Toby Morland was partnering his old school mate Jeremy Manning in Parc Y Scarlets.
On the club front UL Bohemian and Thomond exited the ODM Munster Senior Cup following two defeats to Cork opposition on Leeside on Saturday.
UL Bohemian lost their unbeaten record at the hands of UCC at the Mardyke while Thomond were forced to give second best against holders Cork Constitution.
Young Munster are through to the semi-final, however, having received a walkover from Cashel.
Shannon’s scheduled quarter-final clash with Dolphin at Musgrave Park was postponed because of an outbreak of flu in the Shannon squad which saw up to seven members of the squad laid low.
Meanwhile it has also been confirmed that next Saturday’s Limerick Charity Cup final meeting of Young Munster and UL Bohemian will take place at Thomond Park. The final will have a 2.30pm kick-off time.
Local charities in Limerick benefit from money raised for this competition.
COLM KINSELLA
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