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PAUL O’CONNELL WILL not be cited for kicking Leinster winger Dave Kearney in the head.

After reviewing footage of the incident, which left Kearney unconscious for a short period on Saturday night, it was found that the Munster lock’s actions were not intentional and so did not merit any punishment.

Kearney had to be stretchered from the Thomond Park pitch after O’Connell inadvertently kicked him while trying to dislodge the ball in the second half.

The news comes as a huge boost to Munster’s Heineken Cup chances as well as O’Connell’s own chances of making the squad for the Lions tour of Australia later this summer.

A ban would have likely ruled him out of the European semi-final against Clermont Auvergne in Montpellier on 27 April, three days before Lions coach Warren Gatland announces his touring party.