O'Connell to escape sanction for Kearney incident

Munster's Paul O'Connell will not face any disciplinary action following the incident that left Dave Kearney concussed during Saturday's Rabo Pro12 at Thomond Park, the Irish Times understands.

O’Connell made contact with Kearney’s head while kicking the ball during the second half of the match in Limerick, but after reviewing video footage of the incident the citing commissioner, Eddie Walsh, decided the second row does not have a case to answer.

It was felt that although O’Connell’s shin came into contact with Kearney’s head, the player was making a genuine attempt to get the ball and there was no deliberate intent to kick the Leinster winger.

Match referee Nigel Owens did not penalise O’Connell at the time of the incident.

Kearney suffered concussion in the clash and is likely to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks, according to Leinster coach Joe Schmidt.