Paul O'Connell Tribute - "Irish Legend"

Second-row Paul O'Connell is Munster through and through and holds the honour of having skippered the British & Irish Lions during their Test series with South Africa in 2009.
Born and bred in Limerick, second row O'Connell was an accomplished swimmer in his youth but opted for rugby and progressed through the Munster ranks to their firs team. O'Connell made his Test debut with a try against Wales in 2002 and by the time he toured with the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand in 2005 he was being hailed as a new Martin Johnson (though Brian O'Driscoll, not O'Connell, was the captain). The horrendous line-out performance in the first Test was made worse because Ireland's hooker Shane Byrne had been picked to provide a tried and tested link with O'Connell, and it set the tone for abject displays up front throughout the series.
On the club scene, Munster won the 2006 Heineken Cup, defeating Biarritz in Cardiff; in 2002 O'Connell, aged 21, had started in the final defeat by Leicester. In November 2006 he was the only northern hemisphere nominee for IRB player of the year (won by Richard McCaw). For Ireland, having scooped the Triple Crown in 2006, another followed in 2007, with O'Connell named Man of the Match in the 43-13 thrashing of England at Croke Park, but he was captain again for a defeat by France on the same ground. It was said that Ireland were put off their game by the emotion of playing at 'Croker' which arguably reflected poorly on O'Connell's leadership.
He steered Munster to Heineken Cup glory in 2008 but greater success would follow in 2009 when he played a key role in Ireland's historic Six Nations Grand Slam triumph. His performances were rewarded with the captaincy of the 2009 British & Irish Lions for their tour to South Africa - becoming the 10th Irishman to lead the elite tourists.
O'Connell led the Lions in all three Tests in South Africa but it was ultimately in a losing cause as the tourists lost 2-1. On returning from South Africa, O'Connell endured a difficult season as a post-Lions hangover affected Munster and Ireland. The lock played his part in Ireland's draw against Australia and victory over South Africa at Croke Park, but a disappointing defeat in Paris saw Ireland lose their grip on the Grand Slam and they finished the campaign with another defeat at home to Scotland.
By the time Munster's season came a cropper at Biarritz their captain was no longer available as he had been struck down with a mystery groin injury. O'Connell's prognosis was initially difficult to ascertain and although he was named in Ireland's tour party for New Zealand and Australia, the second-row was unable to travel.
Eventually the diagnosis was that of a groin infection, ruling the player out until December 2010. He returned to pre-season training in August and ended the 2010/11 season by leading Munster to the Celtic League title following their victory over rivals Leinster in the Grand Final at Thomond Park. And after being named in Declan Kidney's 30 man squad for the World Cup, O'Connell showed signs of being back to his imperial best with a storming performance against the Wallabies in Auckland. In December of that year, with Brian O'Driscoll ruled out with a shoulder problem, O'Connell was confirmed as Ireland skipper for the 2012 Six Nations.
He played three of their matches in the competition but was ruled out of the final two after sustaining a knee injury against France. And spending time on the sidelines became a frequent experience for O'Connell over the next few months as struggled with another knee injury and then a back injury in the 2012-13 season. He looks set to miss the 2013 Six Nations but harbours hopes of being fit for Lions duty in the summer.
O'Connell missed the entirety of the 2013 Six Nations, but a barnstorming, man-of-the-match display as Munster overpowered Harlequins in the Heineken Cup semi-finals showed that he was still the man for the big occasion.
While Clermont Auvergne ended Munster's Heineken Cup dream in the last four, three days later Lions coach Warren Gatland called O'Connell up for the tour to Australia, the third time O'Connell had been given the honour of touring with the Lions.
O'Connell started the Lions in strong form and played the opening test against the Wallabies but was injury ruled him out of the final two tests. However he remained in Australia to help motivate the squad to a test series victory over the Wallabies.

[@TheKgv1]

Massive, not just a massive man, a great leader, a proud Irishman... Paulie, you will be sorely missed- many thanks for all those great sporting memories!

[@markkuman4673]

Genuine old school hard man of Rugby. Love and respect from Papua New Guinea!

[@ClounKing]

What this man did for Munster and Irish rugby game in and game out could never be compiled in a video, a mountain of a man in all facets of the term.

[@jamesmol3634]

The single best Irish rugby player of all time.

[@stoney7145]

Probably technically not the best,but as a leader he was the best no question

[@lewisshaw4499]

Fella Paulie is my favourite of all time rugby player and is in my opinion the best second row to play the game but the greatest Irish player I'd say would have to go to Brian he was simply a God

[@Red-Revolution708]

JamesTriesPvPing Why ? Ire have just 2 Grand Slams , Eng have 13 , Wal have 11 GS then France have 9 GS but my point being being Why is he a Legend with only 1 GS I don't understand he is a world class player but not a Legend .

[@combatenthusiast6297]

You could argue for his position sure. We've had some immense talent. Peter Stringer was an animal at what he did. He's the last ditch tap tackle king and was always squaring up to guys 3 times his size.

[@cpcampbell3]

JamesTriesPvPing better leader than he was a pure rugby player. His myth is more powerful than his ability. In terms of pure ability the conversation starts and ends with BOD.

[@blackheart5258]

A true giant of the great game, a true Irishman, a true man.

[@lm5594]

That lineout at 25 seconds. Could watch it all day.

[@DRM1891]

Bloody loved Paul O'Connell and really enjoyed watching him play. The fact that he kept going until he was 36, but was still performing to a world class level against locks who were sometimes ten years his junior is incredible. Phenomenal player and great leader.

[@elytillidie1]

Best rugby old school player and a world-class coach

[@zachary6281]

Damn, I miss this man.

[@ulispyros5554]

This guy is a machine !!!! True Irish Legend.

[@overall1937]

My uncles children go to the same school as Paul O'connels' children

[@sofiad3773]

And Irish legend, that will never be forgotten

[@patrickpower4849]

I'd play for him all day

[@oscarleamyodonovan2440]

PAtR PoWeR Run through walls for Paulie

[@tollyt7465]

There may have been better technical locks in world rugby, Brodie Retallick, Victor Matfield and John Eales to name 3, but if my life depended on being out on the pitch with anyone, Paul O Connell and Martin Johnson would be my choices.. Great leaders, never a backward step, and total commitment to their teams over any individual glory..

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

100% agree. My model for skills was Matfield, but as a player it was O’Connell. A true leader of men. And his skills were not shabby either. Legend.

[@bendonovan8755]

Paul the smartest man in rugby master engineer of the maul

[@alexandermorrison4048]

the man the myth the legend

[@eoliver437]

An extraordinary player

[@pmc8053]

A titan. Be prepared for impact is no mere decoration is he was coming at ye.

[@johnanthonyp]

He is brilliant

[@bernieob9577]

He is amazing ❤

[@ZILLERZOEAZ]

a proud player ,one of irelands greatest and a strong leader, without fears

[@Hhhhh.1603]

GOAT

[@ciancasey101]

That game against France destroyed us I think you can all agree

[@johnanthonyp]

He was fucking huge

[@odin8010]

True legend

[@nickybutt9733]

One of the best warlords in rugby.

[@mchuntertotalhypnosis7960]

KING

[@thomasoc6815]

im so sad he had to retire, but im happy i share his surname :)

[@reecec2265]

Be proud of your surname it has very strong Irish roots

[@thedarkhugheshughes2640]

A true Irish warrior

[@apindersingh1483]

Paul o connell from limerick

[@johnanthonyp]

x man

[@jg7850]

Authentic Irish product of steak and potatoes

[@donaldduck1828]

And milk!

[@dralbertsmeinheimer5738]

Munster*

[@hipyshit]

Just finding out he's my 3rd cousin he looks like a intense guy to play against

[@sofiad3773]

NO JOKE, HE CAMS TO MY SCHOOL! SCOIL BRHÍDE

[@johnanthonyp]

The end for Aus

[@cilliandoyle2743]

I just met him today

[@sambaines1076]

What's this music called?

[@aaronjohnston5724]

What was that team they played at 2:26

[@EllliotJackRussel1]

Pacific Islanders team

[@area69guard95]

i’m just curious if there was a fight between O’ Connel and Etzebeth,who’ll win?🤔

[@area69guard95]

it’ll put a big fight but O’ Connel is gonna need someone to stop him from destroying Etzebeth

[@turg4874]

I would go to war against a nation with just Paulie on my side. Toatal warrior

[@rileyfreeman9726]

@@area69guard95 in a dirty fight then etzebeth. In an established fight like a boxing match or MMA fight then i'm going O'connell

[@sofiad3773]

He said he started playing when he was 16! :O

[@samconnolly3601]

Sofia D nah he was playing before he went to secondary and then gave it up, he went bak to it when he was 16 because the school he was in (Ardscoil rís) asked him to

[@carldelaney2972]

Paul just makes me proud to be a paddy I love it when we beat the English but my kids are English and I tell them to love there country and respect and salute your queen

[@stoney7145]

thats fair enough

[@cpcampbell3]

You’re no Irishman.

[@HypeHD]

cpcampbell3 stfu what’s wrong with that?

[@combatenthusiast6297]

You're no Irishman if you salute and respect the British royalty. Your status is revoked.

[@samconnolly3601]

Combat Enthusiast ur some dickhead u no dat

[@jacoboneill8679]

What’s the music?

[@geniusj1841]

Song???

[@johnanthonyp]

Do a Lennox

[@johnjohansson6277]

Song?

[@FasterThanJesus666]

two steps from hell

[@johnanthonyp]

Fight him-Australia

[@fiachrabermingham9143]

Forgot how fucking giant he was

[@johnanthonyp]

This is why Ireland couldn't give an arse about McGregor. This man would be nice when he gets Hulk

[@combatenthusiast6297]

That little leprechaun is a mouthy coke head, not a real man and role model like Paul O'Connell.

[@eugenedempsey2838]

Willie John McBride

[@johnanthonyp]

presdicion= Louth boy destroys

[@johnanthonyp]

I didn't mean that-steroid free destroy

[@johnphelan5936]

I think he was average at best. Not a great carrier. Average tackler. Good in the line out. Dreadful hands in open play. Often injured.

[@EllliotJackRussel1]

Are you Irish?

[@johnphelan5936]

Yes

[@tomgallagher7870]

There is always trolls on the internet.congrats john 😂😂😂

[@johnphelan5936]

Im not trolling its just my opinion. He was a great motivator as evidenced by his famous "manic aggression" speech before the french game in 07 but it was he who dropped the kick off after ireland had gone ahead in the closing minutes of that match which allowed France to regain the ball and score the winning try a few phases later. A great captain but an average player.

[@dralbertsmeinheimer5738]

Baby Faced James Ryan your cup of tea?

[@helenaoneill2110]

Cv cv.

[@tomhoulgate6597]

Mate you dont beat the english

[@like2surf]

He's played England 12 times and won 8, soooooo..........

[@swaglad9728]

Tom Houlgate everyone beats the English now

[@DM-rp9ik]

I actually dont think theirs a team he beat more he would have beaten them in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2015, that's 7 wins from 8 against England from 2004 to 2011 as well.

[@dralbertsmeinheimer5738]

You annihilate them

[@MrCaptainhook33]

musics no good