PAUL O’CONNELL WILL face Clermont in a much-anticipated Heineken Cup semi-final this weekend.
But he’ll do so having controversially escaped a citing for a kick to the head of Leinster back Dave Kearney.
But the Thomond Park favourite says the incident was not intentional and he hopes his Ireland colleague is back in action soon.
“What happened with Dave was 100 per cent accidental,” O’Connell told reporters today. “I never thought I’d collide with his head. I probably didn’t help myself during the week. I didn’t mean to show a lack of concern for Dave. I just hope he’s back playing soon. I was dissappointed it happened and I regret it happened,” he told RTÉ’s Joe Stack at the province’s media day at Musgrave Park in Cork.
The lack of action from European rugby bosses drew criticism from Leinster boss Joe Schmidt — the man expected to be appointed Ireland chief – last week but Munster’s own Kiwi head coach, Rob Penney, insisted O’Connell’s reputation isn’t tarnished by the incident.
“I think Joe had every right to come out and protect his players and say what he did,” Penney said. “But the only thing is one incident does not ever cloud all the great work that Paulie’s done behind the scenes in Irish rugby.
Munster will be without Donncha O’Callaghan and Doug Howlett while Peter O’Mahony remains touch-and-go, it was confirmed today.
“[Doug] won’t be part of this event. Donncha unfortunately has not recovered from the knee injury he picked up against Leinster. It’s really sad for him as well.
“Peter O’Mahony has some ongoing foot complaints,” said Penney. “We’ll find out later in the week how that is going to pan out. James Downey is still recovering from a hand issue, which we’ll find out all about later in the week. Keith Earls is making progress but, once again, we won’t know about his [selection] chances until later in the week.”
People need to move on for Jaysis sake.
Exactly any chance of a few questions on Clermont?
Simply Paul didn’t mean to kick him everyone knows that, he should have had said it was an accident before now. joe didnt say anything about Paul o connell only the system needs to be looked at. One thing about him is he speaks his mind so don’t ask the question if you don’t want the answer.
Now let’s all get behind both Munster and Leinster and both Irish teams getting to their finals and we can have some weekend of rugby in may
Paul darling…I believe you and that’s all that matters, everyone else can go… !!
Can’t believe there are so many negatives on Paul OConnell..apart from BOD no man has given so much to Ireland’s cause in the past 25 years..give him a break and put aside one reckless kick and remember all those wonderful games he has played for Munster & Ireland
There was no uproar for BOD’s disgraceful stamp in the six nations…. Blue tinted goggles
Cited and banned for it!
And the citing commissioner said Paulie had no case to answer. That’s hardly O’Connell’s fault.
Build a bridge and get over it lads. Big game on Saturday, focus on that.
Indeed
Paul, I admire you as a man and rugby player but why didn’t you tell us at least a week ago??
He wasn’t interviewed in the meantime.
Because it was put to bed until Tubridy decided to ask Joe Schmidt on the late late…which was in my opinion out of order as he was there to raise awareness on epilepsy
He was but as a rugby coach he is gone be asked about news matters concerning rugby
David, not being interviewed is no excuse for POC not owning up to what he did : honesty is always best policy & he’s lost respect from a lot of his followers.
Let’s be honest! O Connell is a genuine bloke but he saw he’s name been tarred in the newspaper saying “you didnt show concern for d Kearney”! He should of then released a statement!
He never denied he caught him. We don’t know he didn’t apologise privately, which I’m sure he did, why should he have to issue a public apology for an injury on a rugby field. Get over it. No serious harm done, injuries are part and parcel of amateur rugby, when you increase the size and power of these men, the risk multiplies.
You need a bit of luck and Munster have that this week.
1. POC not been cited.
2. Nigel Owens as ref – guaranteed to be a tight game.
3. We, Leinster, get Wayne Barnes.
4. No Roman Poite
5. Munster massive underdogs.
6. Munster beaten week before by inferior team,
7. Rougerie not 100% fit, and
8. Clermont have no No 10.
Come on Leinster and Munster.
6. That’s happened to Munster alot over the past few years
I have read over ten articles in to the led up to the match Saturday in various papers online etc. everyone has been negative to munster in one way or another. I have read two articles about Claremont, both very positive. Could our own media try a little to support an irish team going into a European semi final.
backs to the wall, just the way we like it, Come onnn Munster :)
Too little too late…
Go suck on a lemon
No Peter O’Mahony, no winny. Get fit big man.
Chuck Norris wouldn’t argue with Paul o Connell ,come on Munster
In my opinion, he was charging around in the match before he kicked the poor chap in the head. He is a thug, any good he has done is gone with that criminal act.
O’connell has history of getting peevish when losing no reason to believe it was an accident. He has bewn saved by the lions