Munster captain inspired by terminally ill teenager

He might have been the inspiration behind Munster’s tremendous Heineken Cup quarter-final win in London yesterday, but Paul O’Connell admitted last night he’s in the tuppence ha’penny place compared to his own hero, terminally ill teenager Donal Walsh.

The Kerry 16-year-old had viewers in tears during his appearance RTÉ’s Saturday Night Show but O’Connell has grown so close to the young rugby fan that nothing surprises him about Donal Walsh anymore.

“I’m sure he will have enjoyed that,” Munster talisman O’Connell said after the province’s 18-12 win over Harlequins yesterday. “He sent me a lovely message last night, which he always does when I’m coming back [from injury], which I have been a few times since I’ve known him. He’s a real good guy, a very special guy.