O’Connell hails Magners rethink

ON THE eve of his reappointment as Munster captain, Paul O’Connell has welcomed the decision to provide a guaranteed competitive climax to the Magners League campaign this season.

Indeed the news was greeted positively by all of the clubs represented in a pre-season launch at Thomond Park yesterday, and it wasn’t the only good news for the future of the competition – the sponsors are backing it with more money in a new two-year deal recently concluded.

In relation to the decision to introduce semi-finals and a final to round off the Magners season, O’Connell, ideally placed to speak on behalf of clubs overburdened with national squad requirements, said: “It gives the teams that provide a lot of players to their respective national teams a fair crack; easing the pressure somewhat; a shot at competing for a trophy come the end of the season and it keeps it very competitive throughout the season.