(Credit - Facebook Paul O'Connell)

Paul O’Connell’s Heineken Cup hopes may have been dashed by Ulster at the weekend, but there was better news for the Munster captain this morning with the confirmation that the he is to be given the freedom of the City of Limerick.

While the award will hardly be  that much of a consolation to the Shannon-side man, whose team were on the wrong end of a 16-12 quarter final reversal against their provisional rivals on Sunday, it is nonetheless a significant honour and one that O’Connell is proud to receive.

“I’m always conscious when I’m playing for either Munster or Ireland that I’m also representing Limerick,” he said.

“I’m very proud of Limerick and where I come from. I’m lucky to have played for Munster for the last 11 years and my upbringing in Limerick and the influences that I’ve had in Limerick has played a massive part in my success in rugby. I’d also like to thank Limerick City Council for bestowing this huge honour on me and I’m looking forward to it immensely.”

Announcing the decision, which was a unanimous one by the members of Limerick City Council, Mayor of Limerick Cllr Jim Long paid tribute to the former Lion’s outstanding career to date:

“We want to recognise Paul’s outstanding contribution to Limerick, to Ireland and to sport,” Mayor Long said. “He is a proud Irish man, Munster man and a Limerick man. This is the highest civic accolade that Limerick City Council can give to a man who is an inspiration to all of us in all walks of life both young and old. He carries a tremendous badge of honour for Limerick and it will be my absolute pleasure to confer the Freedom of the City on such an iconic person.”

The Freedom of Limerick is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an individual by Limerick City Council. Previous recipients include Eamon De Valera, John F Kennedy, John Hunt, Dr Ed Walsh, Bill Clinton, JP McManus, Sir Terry Wogan and Bill Whelan.

Meanwhile, both centre Keith Earls and Number 8 James Coughlan will visit specialists this week in a bid to assess the extent of injuries they  picked up in the Sunday’s clash. International regular Earls suffered a knock to his leg while the big back row broke a bone in is hand, leaving both men doubtful for the RaboPro12 tie with Glasgow this weekend. That tournament now becomes crucial for the Munstermen, representing their last change of silverware this season.

The Thomond regulars might not want to be reminded of the game, but for here are the highlights for everyone else:

Paul O'Connell back in contention for Munster (Credit - Facebook - Paul O'Connell)

Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris will be given a few days to prove his fitness ahead of the province’s Heineken Cup quarter final clash with Munster this weekend, after being named in the Ravenhill outfit’s provisional, 34-man, squad.

Ferris, yesterday, “longlisted” for the ERC Player of the Year Award, damaged ankle ligaments in the province’s win over Aironi at the weekend and still remains a major doubt for Sunday’s game.

He was replaced by Willie Faloon in that game, with Chris Henry switching to blindside. That is the expected make-up of the backrow for Limerick with Pedrie Wannenberg staying at number eight and Robbie Diack promoted to the bench.

Mike McComish has returned to full training and has been named in the squad for the first time since suffering concussion during a clash with Edinburgh match over a month ago.

Second row Tim Barker (back) and wing Simon Danielli (hamstring) remain sidelined, while young backs James McKinney (shoulder) and Chris Coachrane (foot) have picked up injuries.

Paul O’Connell is amongst those who returns to the Munster squad ahead of the tie. The talismanic captain, who picked up an injury in Ireland’s Six Nations draw with France had been a major doubt, but is included along with fellow returnees Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace and Conor Murray.

BJ Botha and Keith Earls both sustained minor rib injuries last weekend’s RaboPro12 defeat to Leinster, but will shake them off in time for the Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Ulster Squad: Callum Black, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Declan Fitzpatrick, John Afoa, Paddy McAllister, Rory Best, Nigel Brady, Andi Kyricaou, Lewis Stevenson, Dan Tuohy, Johann Muller (captain), Neil McComb, Stephen Ferris, Mike McComish, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg, Chris Henry, Robbie Diack; Paul Marshall, Ruan Pienaar, Ian Porter, Ian Humphreys, Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Paddy Wallace, Ian Whitten, Nevin Spence, Darren Cave, Stefan Terblanche, Conor Gaston, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Trimble, Adam D’Arcy

Munster Squad: Johne Murphy, Ian Keatley, Tomas O’Leary, Felix Jones, Denis Hurley, Keith Earls, Lifeimi Mafi, Simon Zebo, Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray, Danny Barnes, Duncan Williams, Scott Deasy, David Wallace, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Stephen Archer, Marcus Horan, Damien Varley, James Coughlan, Tommy O’Donnell, Peter O’Mahony, Paul O’Connell, Donnacha Ryan, BJ Botha, Mike Sherry, Wian Du Preez, Mick O’Driscoll, Billy Holland, John Ryan, Denis Fogarty.