Paulie shines but Con grab points

Paul O’Connell took another big step in his bid to be fit in time for Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter final against Harlequins.

The Munster second-row played his first 80 minutes of rugby since October in Young Munster’s defeat by Cork Constitution on Saturday. Alex Ryan crossed for a try for Con deep into injury-time to hand his side a slender 10-9 victory.

O’Connell put in an excellent performance following his return to action midweek for Munster A and was a commanding force throughout. After claiming 10 line-outs, O’Connell brilliantly stole an injury time Constitution line-out when Young Munster were defending five metres out. But after the attempted kick to touch was blocked down, Ryan found a gap in the defence to force his way over in the corner.