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Rugby

13th Oct 2015

WATCH AND WEEP: Paul O’Connell’s career in pictures

What a hero

SportsJOE

It’s time to celebrate the end of an era.

For 14 years Paul O’Connell battled in the green of the Ireland but this morning’s announcement confirmation brings down the curtain on one of the greatest Test careers in history.

Here we take a look at the monumental second-row’s international, provincial and Lions career in pictures.

Celtic League Quarter Final 29/11/2002 Munster Paul O'Connell ©INPHO/Patrick Bolger
[caption id="attachment_44019" align="aligncenter" width="650"]3 Feb 2002: Paul O''Connell of Ireland celebrates his try during the Six Nations Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Dave Rogers/Getty Images[caption id="attachment_44022" align="aligncenter" width="474"]Ireland at the Rugby World Cup in Terrigal, Australia 2003 Paul O'Connell Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Rugby World Cup Ireland 19/10/2003 Alan Quinlan, Paul O'Connell and Malcolm O'Kelly Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

With Alan Quinlan and Malcolm O’Kelly in 2003.

[caption id="attachment_44037" align="aligncenter" width="522"]MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 9: Paul O'Connell of Ireland and Fabien Pelous of Ireland contest a lineout during the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final 3 match between France and Ireland at the Telstra Dome November 9, 2003 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)[caption id="attachment_44038" align="aligncenter" width="700"]CARDIFF, WALES - APRIL 18: Paul O'Connell pictured during the British and Irish Lions Squad Photocall for the 2005 Tour to New Zealand on April 18 2005 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Heineken Cup Final, 20/5/2006 Munster vs Biarritz Stephen Keogh jokes with the players afterwards pretending to pass a ball from a ruck watched by Paul O'connell, in the changing room after the victory against Biarritz. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Celebrating 2006 Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz.
[caption id="attachment_44024" align="aligncenter" width="474"]AIL Division 2 5/1/2008 Young Munster Paul O'Connell on his return from injury Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan Enjoying a rare hit out for his beloved Young Munsters
Ireland Grand Slam Book Portraits 31/8/2009 Paul O'Connell. Pictures taken of Irish players who played in the Grand Slam decider against Wales in Cardiff. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
His portrait in 2009 Grand Slam picture book.
RBS Six Nations 21/3/2009 Wales vs Ireland Paul O'Connell lifts the trophy after winning the RBS Six Nations grand slam Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan *** Local Caption ***
Lifting the Six Nations trophy in Cardiff in 2009.
CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 21: Paul O'Connell (R) of Ireland jokes around with a member of the Ireland team's support staff after winning the Grand Slam during the RBS 6 Nations Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 21, 2009 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Pulling down kitman Rala O’Reilly’s trousers during the Grand Slam celebrations.
2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C, 17/9/2011 Australia vs Ireland Ireland's Paul O'Connell Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
[caption id="attachment_44035" align="aligncenter" width="459"]NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 13: Touring Irish rugby team lock Paul O'Connell relaxes at the Moana Pools, Dunedin, following the teams closed training run in preparation for their rugby test against the All Blacks at Carisbrook, Saturday. (Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images)[caption id="attachment_44032" align="aligncenter" width="474"]Rugby World Cup Preview 17/9/2015 2011 Rugby World Cup Ireland vs Wales Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland[caption id="attachment_44029" align="aligncenter" width="474"]Guinness Series, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 24/11/2013 Ireland vs New Zealand All Blacks Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Rob Kearney dejected after Ryan Crotty scored a late try Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stade de France, Paris 15/3/2014 France vs Ireland Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll celebrate after the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Celebrating the 2014 Six Nations triumph on Brian O’Driscoll’s last appearance.

[caption id="attachment_44031" align="aligncenter" width="474"]RBS 6 Nations Championship, BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland 21/3/2015 Scotland vs Ireland Ireland captain Paul O'Connell with the RBS 6 Nations trophy Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland Lifting the Six Nations trophy in Murrayfield this year.
2015 Rugby World Cup Group D, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales 11/10/2015 Ireland vs France Ireland's Paul O'Connell down injured Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Receiving oxygen on the pitch after suffering the injury that ended his Ireland career.

 

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