The centre-back was forced off with a calf injury in last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers and Parkinson admitted following the final whistle that he feared the worst.
It was a surprise to see O’Connell’s name on the team-sheet against Accrington and the Wrexham boss was delighted with his performance in the 4-0 victory at The Racecourse which took the Reds up to third in League Two.
“It was a huge boost for us,” said Parkinson.
“Wednesday was a long day because I was fearing that we had lost Eoghan but it turned out to be not serious and something he can carry on with.
“Everyone saw his quality against Accrington.
“Not just his defensive attributes but his passing from the back was sublime.”
With Tom O’Connor, George Evans and James Jones missing through injury, James McClean switched from wing-back to a midfield role and the Irishman impressed his manager.
“Everyone knows we have got injuries in that department,” said Parkinson.
“His energy and tactical understanding of the game is like having a player-and-a-half in there.
“I thought James was outstanding.”
It was job done by half-time with leading scorer Paul Mullin bagging an 18 minute hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 16 goals before having an assist for Elliot Lee.
There were no goals in the second period but Parkinson says it wasn’t for the want of trying.
“Ryan Barnett had a great chance, Ben Tozer had a great chance and Jack Marriott had a good one so there’s three really good chances,” he added.
“We spoke at half-time about really going to kill the game off.
“There was always going to be some sort of response from Accrington, they changed their shape and they are a good side; they have got a chance of the play-offs because the division is so tight.
“They dug deep in the second half and tried to make it difficult but we still had moments where we could have got more goals.
“But I am not going to be greedy, 4-0 at home against a decent side who beat us at their place is a great return for us.”
