But the send off for O’Mahony and fellow Test retirees Conor Murray and Cian Healy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday was pretty close. Both O’Mahony and fellow Munster stalwart Murray came off the bench to standing ovations from the 30,000 Irish supporters who had invaded the Italian capital for the final round of the championship on St Patrick’s weekend and the former captain and back rower admitted he had allowed himself to drink in the moment. A huge roar inside the stadium greeted big-screen images of O’Mahony preparing to enter the fray on 52 minutes as he helped Ireland see out a 22-17 victory that was far from comprehensive. Yet it was a day to live long in the memory for the 35-year-old as he called time on 13 years as an Irish international. “It was a tough Test match, there was a lot to play for. We probably didn't play the way we wanted to but credit to the group, we found a way,” O’Mahony said. "Obviously it’s a great day and it’s a tough day for me because I’m leaving behind something I’ve done for a long, long time, and a group of people that I’ve a huge amount of respect for and have given a huge amount to me and I hope that they think I’ve given a huge amount back. "But I'm thrilled with the way we finished there, with the crowd, the travelling support that we had and to have my family there, my wife, my brother, my mum and dad, it was a special occasion. “Our travelling support is off the wall stuff. It was a lovely touch. Sometimes you push that kind of noise out but I kind of grew a bit taller when I heard it, to be honest. "It was a nice touch, it meant a lot. As I said, I’ve given a lot to the jersey and it was a lovely response to get. I'd love to think it was reciprocated. It was a lovely touch to get.” O’Mahony reflected on the changing expectations placed on the Ireland team since his first Six Nations visit to Rome in 2013 as spoke of his confidence on the current position of Irish rugby. “It’s in good shape. In 2013 we lost and we came fifth in the championship and now the expectation of everyone in Ireland when we take the pitch is that we win. "The expectation at the start of the Six Nations is we win the Six Nations. That’s the expectation that they have, that’s down to the hard work of players, that’s not down to anyone else. "But we’ve gone from hoping to expecting. Over the space of a decade or so, we’ve changed the mindset of players and supporters to expecting nothing but wins from Ireland. "I think that group that you’re looking at, at the moment, is one of the most talented groups of people you're going to come across, the number of players that I’ve been lucky enough to play alongside over the last eight weeks, it’s getting better and better. "It gives me a huge amount of pride. Cian spoke inside about leaving a mark on the younger people, if I’ve made a little bit of difference to the people, shown them a few things not to do, I’ll be a happy man.” As to who fills the considerable void O’Mahony’s retirement will create, the man himself said: “There's going to be loads of players stepping into that. I’m not going to name people but I spoke about the young people. "I’ve had great fun. Guys like Thomas Clarkson, Jack Boyle, obviously Sam coming in, Crowley is still so young, Joe McCarthy…seriously, seriously impressive rugby players but good people and they’ll be in the jersey for a long time. "But I’m looking forward to following their journey now and being on the other side of the fence and supporting them, enjoying when they win.” That his involvement henceforth will now be as a spectator is not lost on O’Mahony as he reiterated taking a step away from the camaraderie and craic of Ireland camp. “I’ve got to come to terms with not coming into camp and it’s an unbelievably enjoyable place to play. Good people, you have good fun. "At the same time, the main thing is the main thing and that is performing but it is the people that make the jersey special, I’ve said that all year. "I’ll miss that hugely, I’ll miss the friendships. Not that that ends today but you know it’s different being in that dressing room and having that experience, it’s a different environment, a very honest one, a very enjoyable place to me, and I’m going to miss it massively.”