Munster lock Paul O’Connell has admitted that he feared a possible citing after the weekend, but believes the media has hyped the incident out of proportion.
By Declan Whooley
Dave Kearney will be out of action for a number of weeks after leaving Thomond Park unconscious after a stray boot from O’Connell during the game. Referee Nigel Owens missed the incident at the time, but citing commissioner Eddie Walsh decided not to refer his case to a disciplinary panel, who deemed the kick ‘careless’ rather than ‘reckless’.
That decision was met with bemusement in some quarters, particularly Leinster coach Joe Schmit who claimed that it has created a ‘dangerous precedent’.
The player himself spoke about the incident for the first time today and admits that while it did look bad, he felt the replays made it appear worse.
“Straight after the game I didn’t think I would have a case to answer because I knew in my own head what had happened,” he said in today’s Irish Independent. “But it was only when I looked at it on video that I saw how bad it looked and got a bit worried.”
“Like any trouble I have been in before, the media always plays a big role. You have people looking at it with a blue jersey on and people looking at it with a red jersey on. You are just worried that will get to people.”
While he admitted to being worried about missing the upcoming Heineken Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne, he insists his conscience is clear and is thankful that the case did not go any further.
“I would have known in my own head that I didn’t mean anything. It was great to play in – a really tough derby match.”
“It would have been disappointing if it (a citing) had happened, so I was delighted when there was no case to hear.”
Munster will be relieved, but the fall out continues and as the impartiality and power of the citing commissioner comes under further scrutiny.
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