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Paul O'Connell retires

  • 09-02-2016 10:04am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,290 ✭✭✭


    Enjoy it. And what a career. Sad way to end but irish rugby owes him a lot.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,958 ✭✭✭✭Shefwedfan


    Just seen this, terrible end to his career. Hopefully he lines up coaching role in France


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    It's a terrible pity. I'm sure he would have picked up another medal within the next two years at Toulon. Then there's the nest egg that is gone also.

    If he doesn't go full time into his business interests I'm sure the IRFU will find a suitable role for him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    Not the end anyone would have wished for him - but I'm pleased to have had the chance to watch him play.

    What now? coaching? team management?

    I always thought he'd make a great coach once he served a suitable 'apprenticeship'!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,427 ✭✭✭✭Clegg


    Didn't realise that hamstring injury was so severe.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭WHIP IT!


    Heads up for the eggchasers...

    POC will be interviewed on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke shortly...


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭Anatom


    So disappointed for him. A great servant to the Munster and Ireland set-up, and a very nice person to boot. Highly respected throughout the game and is a big loss.

    I sincerely hope he stays involved in rugby.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,165 ✭✭✭Anatom


    So disappointed for him. A great servant to the Munster and Ireland set-up, and a very nice person to boot. Highly respected throughout the game and is a big loss.

    I sincerely hope he stays involved in rugby.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,237 ✭✭✭✭2smiggy


    WHIP IT! wrote: »
    Heads up for the eggchasers...

    POC will be interviewed on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke shortly...

    any idea how soon, just turned over and paul williams is on, i'd rather not listen to him !!


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,571 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    It's a terrible pity. I'm sure he would have picked up another medal within the next two years at Toulon. Then there's the nest egg that is gone also.

    Would assume he will get some kind of insurance pay out.

    Bloody awful way to end obviously. Was playing some great stuff still as well.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,432 ✭✭✭sideswipe


    Bit sad he won't get a huge send off, the fans would love a chance to show their appreciation. Thanks for the memories Paul.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,300 ✭✭✭✭razorblunt


    They should bring him out before the next home game in Dublin.
    Doesn't strike me as the type of guy who needs or wants that but he deserves it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 483 ✭✭browne_rob5


    2smiggy wrote: »
    any idea how soon, just turned over and paul williams is on, i'd rather not listen to him !!

    15 minutes time


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,839 ✭✭✭Walter H Price


    I often feel the word Legend is thrown about too freely, but in the case of Paul i can't think of a more fitting word, an absolute colossus of the game, a great servant to Irish Rugby and from the few times i met him personally an absolute gent, lovely guy , a phenomenal payer and inspirational captain. Paul O'Connell the definition of an absolute Legend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,344 ✭✭✭PropJoe10


    A true legend and inspiration. One of the all time greats of the game! Good luck, Paulie!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,150 ✭✭✭✭LuckyGent88


    Disappointing way for his career to end.

    What a man and sporting hero. Just a complete legend. Absolute gent as well. Always had time for the fans and was very approachable.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭WHIP IT!


    2smiggy wrote: »
    any idea how soon, just turned over and paul williams is on, i'd rather not listen to him !!

    :D I genuinely apologise for putting you through that... he's coming up in the next few mins I'm sure.

    EDIT: On now, 10.42am


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    That post title pulled on my heartstrings before I could even open the link. Such a pity, I'll miss seeing him play.

    9mcudgD.jpg

    Obligatory angry faced photo


  • Registered Users Posts: 150 ✭✭bridgetown1


    He needs a send off, in both Thomond AND Musgrave.

    We want to say THANKS and let him know we will NEVER forget him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,294 ✭✭✭✭Ash.J.Williams


    Clegg wrote: »
    Didn't realise that hamstring injury was so severe.
    it was a paticularly bad injury....jaysus i nearly covered my eyes watching the slow mo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 101 ✭✭Shermanator


    With his leadership abilities he will have no problems picking up a top position in Irish Rugby


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    He needs a send off, in both Thomond AND Musgrave.

    We want to say THANKS and let him know we will NEVER forget him.

    I'd say he would refuse that offer. His last Munster appearance was in May, it would be very strange to have a 'send off' now.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,536 ✭✭✭former total


    That's a real shame, would have been great to see him line out for Toulon and maybe pick up another medal.

    Will be interesting to hear if Mourad has a take on this.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,935 ✭✭✭jacothelad


    Dreadful news. What a man! What a player!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,707 ✭✭✭flutered


    thanks for the memories man


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,290 ✭✭✭aimee1


    some great tributes on twitter, and not just from players/coaches. Just fans of non-irish clubs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,882 ✭✭✭WHIP IT!




  • Registered Users Posts: 776 ✭✭✭dtpc191991


    Probably the greatest leader we ever had. It will be sad not to get the chance to see him play again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,755 ✭✭✭eyeball kid


    Very disappointed for him to bow out like this. He really deserved a couple of seasons with Toulan. A legend for Ireland, his impact to Irish and Munster rugby has been incredible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,507 ✭✭✭✭Larbre34


    At the time of the injury, I knew there wasnt a hope in billyo that he would ever play for Toulon. For the sake of his bank balance thats one thing (insurance aside), but for the sake of his health and his family and all that, I think this is good news.

    Its probably also fitting that he will always be a Munster man, never one of Mourad's Mercenaries.

    As a true blue myself, I can say there was never a Munster man who was more worthy of respect, Paulie we salute you.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,459 ✭✭✭kuang1


    I feel honoured to have seen him play. Feel like I'll be telling my grandkids about how I was there the day he was slain by that injury and how horriffic it sounded to hear him (of all people) scream in agony as he tried to stand up after the other players had gone in for half time.
    I remember wondering how much pain that would actually be needed to make that man scream like that.

    And playing like he was in his absolute prime too.

    Thank you for all the memories, and I'm looking forward to what you are now inevitably going to bring to the game in your future roles.


  • Subscribers Posts: 41,963 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Giant of a man, irreplacable


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,076 ✭✭✭✭vienne86


    Such a disappointing way to finish his career, but what a career! We have been lucky to have him. I hope he has a long, happy and healthy life ahead.


  • Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭Blackclaret


    I hear the BBC have nabbed him for a pundit , Sat in Paris.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,290 ✭✭✭aimee1


    I hear the BBC have nabbed him for a pundit , Sat in Paris.

    they announced that during coverage last saturday that he would be there for the ireland game


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,668 ✭✭✭Mahatma Geansai


    A legend of the game and d Ireland's greatest forward and leader. However, the true measure of the man is the esteem he is held in by anyone who has ever had any dealings with him. I don't think you'd find anyone who has a bad word to say about him.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,813 ✭✭✭CMOTDibbler


    Really sorry he didn't get his adventure in France. I'm sure he was looking forward to it and this decision must have been gutting for him. It was such a serious injury, he must have known for some time that this was coming.

    We have been so lucky to have seen him play for Munster and Ireland. Absolute legend of the game.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,884 ✭✭✭✭mfceiling


    Truly one of the best players to ever have put on a jersey never mind a green one.

    The one thing about him was whenever he was named on the team sheet you always thought we had a chance of beating whoever we were playing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭Billysays no


    Was chatting with my son about one poc this evening. We agreed poc could do anything. Maybe his rugby career is terminated early. Could you see poc leading a sales team. The guy inspires. There is no limits to somebody like him. Its a shame that his rugby career ended with such a horrible hamstring tear but the world is his oyster. He is and and always will be a leader and inspirational figure. With elections coming up if he filed his candidacy he would be our tasoiseach a few weeks from now. U may think I joke. I do not. He is everything that is good about being Irish.


  • Registered Users Posts: 732 ✭✭✭penybont exile


    One of the greatest players I've ever seen ...... And I've seen a few over the last forty years.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭Billysays no


    Having done a lot of churchgate collections for orphan kids in Africa I can assure Paul that to go on a Mary Robinson type of tour ain't where its at. She has disappeared under the mire of international politics. Start local. Deal with the flooding (the misery of the folks along the shannon is beyond belief), work on homelessness, drug usage amongst our kids and work your way up. There is no butt-kicking on the international scene. Just a slow death.


  • Registered Users Posts: 609 ✭✭✭English Lurker


    One hell of an exponent of the game, both on and off the pitch. I hope his life goes on to be as happy and successful after rugby as it was during it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,372 ✭✭✭LorMal


    Having done a lot of churchgate collections for orphan kids in Africa I can assure Paul that to go on a Mary Robinson type of tour ain't where its at. She has disappeared under the mire of international politics. Start local. Deal with the flooding (the misery of the folks along the shannon is beyond belief), work on homelessness, drug usage amongst our kids and work your way up. There is no butt-kicking on the international scene. Just a slow death.

    I think you perhaps missed the point of that article, innit?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,073 ✭✭✭Xenophile


    The Forum on Spirituality has been closed for years. Please bring it back, there are lots of Spiritual people in Ireland and elsewhere.



  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Xenophile wrote: »

    Cracking myself up listening to the backlog of those :D Completely forgot they exist


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