"Yes it was frustrating to watch (that first half)" O'Connell said, "but I wouldn't really fault the tactics. We made good ground on several occasions then maybe made an error and errors make you concede momentum and concede territory."
"I think it's a case of a good squad just not playing well at the moment but then our Magners form's been good. We've been dogged. Dug out results. And I think there's any need to panic, it's a case of cutting down on our errors."
O'Gara had his own private audience as it were at a Lucozade gig nearby where he said. "No disrespect to Harlequins whatsoever, but you'd expect us firing on all cylinders to beat Harlequins. But expecting and doing are two different things.
"But all you can do is take the next opportunity to put matters right. and that opportunity comes on Friday. And it'll be a good opportunity because Connacht games are always tough and they'll come down here to win and believe they can. This one will be just as hard as last week. There'll be questions asked, no doubt about that."
Right alongside him when he runs out on Friday night expect to see his colleague for well nigh 14 years Alan Quinlan who could be gracing the Thomond turf for the last time.
And if for no other reason supporters should be on hand to pay tribute to one of the great servants of Munster rugby.
The opportunity also presents itself to run the rule over Ian Keatley who joins Munster at the end of this season, who will be partnered at half-back by former Munster 9 Frank Murphy.
Connacht: Gavin Duffy; Brian Tuohy, Eoin Griffin, Miah Nikora, Fionn Carr; Ian Keatley, Frank Murphy; Brett Wilkinson, Sean Cronin, Jamie Hagan; Mike McCarthy, Bernie Upton; Andrew Browne, Johnny O'Connor capt, John Muldoon; Replacements: Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Dylan Rogers, Dave Nolan, Mike McComish, Cillian Willis, Troy Nathan, Tiernan O'Halloran.
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