O’Connell bullish over Heineken Cup return
Instead of the disconsolate figure who limped from one major injury setback to another over the last three years, the Munster talisman was full of the vigour, energy and appetite for work as he came through the first half of Munster A’s 24-17 victory over their Leinster counterparts in front of close on 2,000 watchers yesterday.
Between claiming a succession of lineout throws, charging around enthusiastically and bowling over opponents with abandon, he also fulfilled his duties at close quarters. The joy and relief in his face as he celebrated his earlier than anticipated return was palpable. And while his next two assignments are likely to be with Munster against Connacht on Saturday week and Glasgow Warriors seven days later, he might even turn our for Young Munster in an Ulster Bank League tie against Cork Constitution at Clifford Park on Saturday.
“It was very enjoyable and the lads played some great rugby”, he enthused. “It was a great day, a dry ball and that makes it harder on the lungs which is exactly what I needed. I’ve done plenty of fitness sessions which in some ways are harder than this. But it’s just the intensity of getting up off the ground, of trying to be dynamic and do it again five or six times in a row. That’s something that’s hard to replicate in training, especially in contact. I was definitely blowing but I’m delighted. I don’t feel any ill-effects. I feel good.”
As for any inhibitions about putting his back to the test yesterday, O’Connell agreed he was a little more nervous than in the past. “Not about my back really but the possibility I could pick up another injury or anything, but then that could happen any time you go out on the pitch. If that had happened, it probably would have broken me.”
As for targets, he insisted: “The plan was to play today and see how I was tomorrow. And then I’ll start planning again from there. The hope would be to be involved in the next couple of Rabo games. The more games I can play the better and I think the Heineken Cup is definitely on for me.”
Munster coach Rob Penney watched yesterday’s exchanges with considerable satisfaction. “I’m really pleased for Paul that he got through 40 minutes and looked vigorous. I was watching him closely around the contact area, the areas you need to be robust and he could have been potentially compromised but he didn’t look like he was flinching at any time. He looks like he is on the mend and on track for a little bit more footie in the next week or so.”
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