What is it about Paul O'Connell??

paulgumdrop

Someone tell me why Paul O'Connell is so special. In terms of second rows - he wouldn't be the biggest. He's not the fastest, the most athletic. But he's just a winner. He inspires everyone around him. I know Donncha would lie down and die for him. He just hates losing. I have to say I'm in awe of the man!

Podge_irl

paulgumdrop wrote: »

Someone tell me why Paul O'Connell is so special. In terms of second rows - he wouldn't be the biggest. He's not the fastest, the most athletic. But he's just a winner. He inspires everyone around him. I know Donncha would lie down and die for him. He just hates losing. I have to say I'm in awe of the man!

It's not an athletics competition - he's a skilled rugby player. It's not rocket science.

barnesd

Cmon now. In the physical stakes he's right up there, it contributes significantly to why he's so good.

Stev_o

Why did you create a thread. Ask a question then answer that question in your next sentence?

ScholesyIsGod

paulgumdrop wrote: »

Someone tell me why Paul O'Connell is so special. In terms of second rows - he wouldn't be the biggest. He's not the fastest, the most athletic. But he's just a winner. He inspires everyone around him. I know Donncha would lie down and die for him. He just hates losing. I have to say I'm in awe of the man!

So you think he has hardly any qualities as a rugby player but he's still one of the best players in the world just because he really wants to win

The guy is 6'6, strong as an ox and is a great athlete.

overmantle

No disrespect to the other 3 guys in the poll of best Munster player,but it's got to be Paul O'Connell. He's a giant of a man yet seems like a really genuine guy.

Spore

He's the Martin Johnston of Munster, when he plays the guys around him lift their game, he leads by example and can win games by himself

SomeFool

paulgumdrop wrote: »

Someone tell me why Paul O'Connell is so special. In terms of second rows - he wouldn't be the biggest. He's not the fastest, the most athletic.

Your WRONG there anyway.....

Delta Kilo

Paul O Connell was apparently a brilliant swimmer when he was younger and turned down a swimming scholarship in Canada to pursue Rugby. That is where he gets his aerobic endurance from.

paulgumdrop

Because I wanted to get others opinion? Forum! Chat!

Stev_o wrote: »

Why did you create a thread. Ask a question then answer that question in your next sentence?

gosplan

He's just a great sportsman who is excellent at digging deep and finding that bit extra when he needs it.

As some have said, he's big and strong as well but AFAIK DOC is the same size and perhaps weight - but there's obviously a massive difference.

Colm_OReilly

Three words:

F*ckin Manic Aggression.

Serenity Now!

Spore wrote: »

He's the Martin Johnston of Munster, when he plays the guys around him lift their game, he leads by example and can win games by himself

Agree with the first and yes, Johnson is certainly the level of player to aspire to be up there with but the last part? Silly thing to say.

thehighground

There is a good interview here with him which explains a lot about Munster & himself. He really is a great competitor in the Roy Keane mode (not spectacularly talented, but gets every ounce out of himself and others around him). I read Stephen Ferris speaking of him describing him "he is our 'go to guy' on the pitch.

Interesting comments here from Mick Galwey:

Mick Galwey was a veteran second row forward when the young O’Connell was first pulled into the Munster squad.

“You noticed him alright, he was like this young giraffe hopping around the place. With young lads, you’d often give them a clip, put them in their place, but he was a bit mad, a bit fearless and, to be honest, I didn’t really want to stake my reputation on him. To be fair, I don't think he wanted to push it too far with me either.”

“Back in my first couple of seasons with Munster, Woody (Keith Wood) was getting towards the end and was on a big, ‘we-have-to-be-really-self-critical’ buzz. At the same time, Roy Keane was enjoying the best part of his career and we wondered what he was doing. We read every interview and could see he was hard on himself, hard on his teammates.

“We became very tough on ourselves, sometimes too tough, some guys lost confidence, weren’t the same, but it definitely got us to where we are. Flannery, Donncha, Wally (David Wallace), Axle (Anthony Foley), Quinny (Alan Quinlan), Strings, Rog (Ronan O’Gara), we were a very intense, self-analytical group. We were never the most talented but we were honest and clever in how we prepared. We knew how to figure things out. I mean I just piggy-backed on Donncha’s ideas about preparation, rehab, diet, etc. I wanted to do all the right things but for him it was a game: how to be the most professional player in the squad and he was brilliant at it.”

Link to the interview here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article5992845.ece

It has the details of his swimming & golf career prior to his rugby career

Also like the part about his loyalty to Declan Kidney - he didn't like what Gatland said about Kidney and he wasn't afraid to come out and have a go at Gatland for it, even though it might have affected his Lions place.

myflipflops

O'Connell's legacy in world rugby terms will be greatly effected by what will happen this summer playing in red of a non-Munster kind. Anyone who has seen Bakkies Botha in the Super 14 this season will have seen second row forward playing at his peak who has basically everything in his reportaire. It could be a monumental clash.

Benny Cake

paulgumdrop wrote: »

He's not the fastest, the most athletic. B

Ya, you're probably right. I mean, he's only a single figures golfer, champion underage swimmer, and a cert for the lions team...... definately one of the most un-athletic guys I've ever come across anyway.

NickNolte

I'd have no problem replying to this thread but I'm miffed by the opening post. Paul O'Connell isn't athletic?

buck65

I wouldn't read too much into his Lions performances, in fairness nobody performed in NZ and I expect the Lions to get pasted in SA, it's a ridiculous tour. What he does in the red of Munster and green is what he and all players should be rated on.

Micky Dolenz

Heart.

Something all the training in the world can't give you.

anonymous_joe

So many people have gotten worked up over this...?

Why?

O'Connell is not as fast as some, nor is as he as strong as others in his position.

He is very strong, and has great stamina though.

To answer the OP's question, it comes down to attitude, and to Donncha O'Callaghan. O'Callaghan is just as important to Munster and Ireland as O'Connell, and does a lot of work that we don't see. This allows O'Connell a bit more freedom. Both have high workrates anyway.

The obvious comparison is Roy Keane, not the fastest, not the strongest, not the best tackler, not the best passer. Still the best defensive midfielder of his era, or at least tied with Vieira and Davids.

KELTICKNIGHTT

anonymous_joe wrote: »

So many people have gotten worked up over this...?

Why?

O'Connell is not as fast as some, nor is as he as strong as others in his position.

He is very strong, and has great stamina though.

To answer the OP's question, it comes down to attitude, and to Donncha O'Callaghan. O'Callaghan is just as important to Munster and Ireland as O'Connell, and does a lot of work that we don't see. This allows O'Connell a bit more freedom. Both have high workrates anyway.

The obvious comparison is Roy Keane, not the fastest, not the strongest, not the best tackler, not the best passer. Still the best defensive midfielder of his era, or at least tied with Vieira and Davids.

agree,he a nice guy,meet him couple of times,down to earth family guy with great attitude and gets the players on the team in the right gear

oh well

D_Red_Army wrote: »

Ya, you're probably right. I mean, he's only a single figures golfer, champion underage swimmer, and a cert for the lions team...... definately one of the most un-athletic guys I've ever come across anyway.

good at surfing too I believe - didn't he save a girl from drowning in Lahinch last summer too - all in all not a great athletic at all!!!!!

bk

oh well wrote: »

good at surfing too I believe - didn't he save a girl from drowning in Lahinch last summer too

It has been reported that Superman wears Paul O'Connell pajamas

KELTICKNIGHTT

think it was the hulk:D