Quinlan talks of 'massive regret'

MUNSTER’S ALAN Quinlan has spoken publicly for the first time about his “massive regret” over an incident involving Leo Cullen in last season’s Heineken Cup semi-final defeat to Leinster at Croke Park. The Irish flanker was banned for 12 weeks in the aftermath and as a result missed the Lions tour to South Africa for which he had been originally selected.

In an interview with RTÉ, ostensibly to launch the Magners League, Quinlan expressed his remorse for his actions.

“It was reckless, it was contact in the eye area and that was my own fault. It’s not something I intentionally tried to do: I’d never advocate for anybody to go near anybody’s eyes.

“It certainly looked bad and it’s something that has had a bad effect on me, my family and friends, and people that are close to me. And people who are close to me know that’s not something that I’d do and I suppose I’d just like to let people hear me say it and be honest about it.

“I’m not trying to portray it or paint it up in a different way. It looked bad and it was bad, but from my point of view there wasn’t any intention from me to go near Leo’s eyes or any player’s eyes. It’s something that I fully regret and have to take ownership for, but my intention was to just try to pull Leo off whatever way I could and unfortunately what happened, happened.

“It happened in 0.4 of a second in real time; I’m not trying to downplay the incident, but I take full ownership of it (as) it didn’t look good. Fortunately there was no injury and speaking to Leo after the game he didn’t have much recollection of anything that happened and was top class about it and certainly helped me in the hearing.

“I have to compliment him on that and thank him on that, because from my point of view it was a massive regret, and it’s my own fault. I’d like people to know that it was a reckless mistake, it wasn’t intentional from my point of view.”

Meanwhile, Connacht coach Michael Bradley has handed five players their home debuts for tomorrow night’s game against the Rotherham Titans at the Sportsground (6.30pm). Clifden native Tiernan O’Halloran and Eoin Griffin from Knocknacarra in Galway city will start on the wing and in the centre respectively.

New outhalf Mich Nikora, former Ireland Under-20 international and Leinster Academy prop Jamie Hagan, and number eight Mike McComish will also be introduced the home supporters.

Connacht play their opening Magners League game against the Ospreys the following Friday. Those supporters wearing Connacht jerseys will be admitted free of charge to the Rotherham match.

CONNACHT(v Rotherham Titans, Sportsground, tomorrow, 6.30): G Duffy; T O'Halloran, E Griffin, K Matthews, F Carr; M Nikora, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, J Hagan; D Nolan, A Browne; J Muldoon, R Ofisa, M McComish.