O’Connell’s Time In Green

13th October 2015 By Munster Rugby

Following his final appearance in the green of Ireland, we look back at the illustrious international career of Munster-man Paul O’Connell.

CLICK HERE to see our Player Gallery of Paul O’Connell's time in green.

A native of Limerick, he initially excelled at swimming before turning to rugby. While attending Ardscoil Rís – whose alumni also include Mike Sherry, Dave Kilcoyne and Sean Cronin – a young O'Connell competed in the Munster Schools Senior Cup after which he won inclusion in the Ireland Schools side of 1997/98 alongside fellow international teammate Gordon D'Arcy.

While climbing through the Munster ranks, the second row also honed his talents in the club game, lining out for Young Munster, and his Irish representation at U21 level was a sign of things to come in both the provincial and international jersey – playing five consecutive games alongside Donncha O'Callaghan.

Earmarked from an early age as one to watch, O'Connell won his first international cap within six months of making his senior Munster debut (against Edinburgh in Myreside). Then Head Coach Eddie O'Sullivan included him in the starting line-up against Wales in the 2002 6 Nations and the 21 year old rewarded the faith shown by O'Sullivan in crossing for a try in Ireland's comprehensive 54-10 victory on the day.

A leader, a warrior, a gentleman – @Paul_OConnell has played his last for Ireland. #ShoulderToShoulder #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/xNmt6YqIpX

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 13, 2015

Since then, the former Munster captain went on to enjoy a fruitful international career that saw him play in four World Cups and, in terms of international silverware, he can boast four Triple Crowns, two 6 Nations championships and one Grand Slam amongst his repertoire.

Other notable honours include his 2006 nomination for IRB World Player of the Year, inclusion in three Lions tours (captaining in 2009) and the Irish captaincy – on a stand in basis prior to the full captaincy in recent seasons.

More than playing his part in Rugby World Cup 2015 to date, on his final appearance in the green jersey, O’Connell and Ireland recorded another famous victory – their third straight win over the French and their first over their European counterparts at a World Cup.

My sadness is tinged with absolute pride having spent 16 years with one of Rugby's greatest competitors. #gentleman #Leader #1ofakind

— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) October 13, 2015

Commenting on today’s news, Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley said, “From Ardscoil Rís to Young Munster, then Munster, Ireland and the Lions, he’s been the heart and soul of every team he’s been involved in and to see him stretchered off on Sunday was not something any of us wanted to see.

“We had some great days and bad days together. You always tend to highlight the good days but you really know a person’s character when you have the bad days. His work through the heartbreaks on the way to the success of ’06, then ’08 and ‘09 with Ireland and beyond was just immense and he will be a massive loss.

“It’s hard to put into words or measure his contribution to Irish Rugby, other than saying it has been immense. It’s just the influence he has, how he leads and how he pushes those around him to another level.”

@Paul_OConnell was a privilege to play against you!! Really sad to hear of your retirement… best second row ever! ? #legend

— sergio parisse (@sergioparisse) October 13, 2015