O’Connell back in the groove

PAUL O’CONNELL is back and raring to go.

That was the very clear message from the Lions captain at Thomond Park last night when he played the second 40 minutes of an AIL clash between his club Young Munster and Shannon and emerged with flying colours.

“I came through it fine and thoroughly enjoyed it,” said O’Connell, even though his side lost by the narrowest of margins, 18-17, in a typically hard-fought Limerick derby. “At the moment, I feel 100% and I’m sure nothing will happen going forward. That was a really tough test of rugby against a really tough Shannon side. To come through against Limerick’s most successful AIL team was great.”