ONE of the true greats of world rugby, Paul O’Connell, announced his retirement from the sport yesterday.
The inspirational captain of Ireland and the British and Irish Lions had already stood down from the international game, but yesterday he had to admit that injury had forced him to call time on a glittering career. He will do so without playing a game for Toulon, whom he had joined from Munster after last year’s World Cup.
Lock forward O’Connell had missed the World Cup quarter-final clash with Argentina after tearing his hamstring in the pool-stage victory over France, but the injury was too severe and he has accepted the inevitable.
At the age of 36 he leaves the game garlanded with deserved honours, and former Munster team-mate Donnacha Ryan is among those who have already tipped O’Connell for a coaching career.
“It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice,” said O’Connell. “I would like to thank all at Rugby Club Toulonnais for their understanding and support over the past few months.
“Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon. Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.”
O’Connell gained 108 caps for his country in 13 years of Test rugby, and earned a further seven caps in Tests for the British and Irish Lions between 2007 and 2013, when he captained the Lions to their winning performance in Australia.
“I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success,” said O’Connell. “I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.
“I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career.”
O’Connell’s long-time Ireland and British and Irish Lions team-mate Brian O’Driscoll tweeted: “Really disappointing to see Paul O’Connell having to retire. Sensational career in red and green. Simply irreplaceable.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here