Gaffney mystified by O'Connell citing

Munster coach Alan Gaffney is still mystified why Paul O’Connell was cited for allegedly punching Wales’ Robert Sidoli during Ireland’s Six Nations match in Cardiff.

O’Connell, who will be accompanied by an IRFU representative at tomorrow’s hearing at Heathrow Airport, could miss Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Biarritz on April 3 if found guilty.

Gaffney saw the incident on Saturday and saw nothing in it to warrant O’Connell’s citing by independent Citing Commissioner Paul Mauriac, a Frenchman.

“I saw nothing that warranted a citing. The referee adjudicated on the incident on the day.

“If one of them was going to be cited then why not both but as I say, I don’t feel that either should have been cited,” said Gaffney.

The Munster camp haven’t decided whether or not one of their representatives will ac company O’Connell to Heathrow.

“It’s an IRFU matter. As far as I know Brian McLaughlin of Leinster will be there with Paul and perhaps Eddie O’Sullivan.

“Does Paul really need us to hold his hand,?” added Gaffney.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo