Paul Jeremiah O'Connell (born October 20, 1979) is a retired Irish rugby player. When he stopped playing, he was Ireland's third most-rated player (108) and the eighteenth most international player in the history of the rugby union. During his career, O'Connell became captain of Munster, Ireland, and the Lions of England and Ireland. He is now a rugby scholar and commentator for BBC Sport.
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O'Connell was born in Limerick, Ireland to Mick and Sheila O'Connell. He attended Model School and Ardscoil RÃÆ's, Limerick where he was initially adept at swimming and only started playing rugby at the age of 16, playing for school at the Munster Senior School Cup and representing the Irish School in 1997-98 along with his teammate Gordon D'Arcy. He also played five games in a row with Ireland U21s with Donncha O'Callaghan as second-line partner. O'Connell completed 3 of 4 years of Computer Engineering at the University of Limerick, before delaying the rest of the degree to concentrate on rugby.
Maps Paul O'Connell
Play career
2001-2003
O'Connell made his debut for Munster on August 17, 2001, in a Celtic League game against Edinburgh. His Heineken Cup debut for the club came in a home game against Castres Olympique won by Munster 28-23. He started for Munster in the defeat of their 2002 Heineken Cup Final to Leicester Tigers on 25 May 2002.
O'Connell made his debut for Ireland against Wales in the 2002 State Championships, starting with Mick Galwey and scoring. Despite scoring this goal, O'Connell has no memory of the first half, remembering: "I scored a goal but I did not remember it.I went to overcome Craig Quinnell and he made me unconscious with his elbow.I played in for another 25 minutes, try and then, finally, with seven minutes left in the first half, I came in. I did not really know what was going on and so I left the field. "
O'Connell was part of Munster's side that won the 2003 Celtic League, defeating Neath 37-17 in the final.
He scored twice in a 35-12 victory over Wales in a World Cup warm-up match against Wales in August 2003 and was rewarded with a place in the Irish squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He played against Romania, Namibia, Argentina and Australia in the pool stage , and a 43-21 quarter-final defeat to France.
2004-2006
In the opening match of Ireland's 2004 State Championships, O'Connell became captain in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll. He also played in a game against Scotland on March 27, 2004, in which Ireland won their first Triple Crown for 19 years. O'Connell also earned silver in front of the club when Munster won the final of the Celtic Cup, defeating Llanelli Scarlets 27-16 at Landsdowne Road on May 14, 2005. He was also part of the Irish team who won the Triple Crown in the 2006 State Championship, 24-28 dramatic over England to seize the crown. He scored the last ever International goal on Old Lansdowne Road before being destroyed and rebuilt as Aviva Stadium, in a 61-17 victory over the Pacific Islands.
O'Connell was selected in the squad for the Lions UK and Ireland tour of 2005 to New Zealand. He won his first Test cap for the Lions on June 25, 2005, beginning in the first test defeat to New Zealand. O'Connell also started the second and third tests.
O'Connell was selected for this year's International Rugby Board player in 2006, and is the only nominee of the Northern Hemisphere. Four other nominees are Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Chris Latham and Fourie du Preez, with McCaw being crowned the eventual winner.
O'Connell was an integral member of the Munster team who won the 2005-06 Heineken Cup, scoring trials in a 19-10 quarter-final victory over Perpignan and playing a key role in defeating Leinster 30-6 in the semi-final and Biarritz Olympique 19-23 in Final Heineken Cup 2006.
2007-2009
O'Connell again took over from injured O'Driscoll as Irish captain in their historic match against France at the 2007 State Championships, the first rugby match ever played at Croke Park. O'Connell was awarded the Man of the match accolade after Ireland's historic 43-13 victory over England at Croke Park a week later.
He was named in the Irish squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup on August 12, 2007. His campaign started against Namibia, who, despite the team's lowest rank in the competition, only lost 32-17 from Ireland. After the game, O'Connell admitted: "Some more experienced people should start performing better and start leading the team a bit more." O'Connell lined up for another disappointing Irish appearance six days later when Georgia came shamefully to beat Ireland, who eventually lost just 14-10. O'Connell's world cup ended after Ireland recorded two defeats against France and Argentina, which means Ireland were eliminated in the pool stage of the tournament at one of the lowest points in Irish rugby history.
O'Connell became captain of Munster in July 2007, replacing Anthony Foley. He led Munster to their second Heineken Cup victory in the 2007-08 season, playing an important role in leading up to Munster's sole experiment in their 16-13 defeat of Toulouse in the 2008 Heineken Cup Final. He also led the team to victory in the Celtic League. 2008-09.
O'Connell's ability to steal the Welsh line-out ball was a key role in Ireland's 17-15 victory over Wales which gave Ireland the 2009 Championship of the Six States and the first Grand Slam in 61 years. He played in all of Ireland's November 2009 Test matches, with Ireland claiming a draw against Australia, and two wins over Fiji and South Africa.
On April 21, 2009, O'Connell was named as Lions Captain of England and Ireland for a 2009 tour to South Africa. He commented at the time: "I saw the squad last night and it would be a privilege to lead them.This is a great honor considering the captains who had gone before me, some of them are legends of the game." He started his first defeat test with Alun Wyn Jones on June 20, 2009. He led the Lions in the second test with the second new line mate in the form of Simon Shaw as the Lions lost the match and with it, the series. O'Connell started the final test of the series in which the Lions managed an entertaining win to avoid the first lime by South Africa in 118 years.
2010-2013
O'Connell missed Ireland's first two games at the 2010 State Championships due to a hip injury, but returned to play in England, Wales and Scotland. He missed the 2010 Summer Test of Ireland due to a groin injury that became infected, and also missed the 2010 Autumn Examination.
After coming out through a nine-month injury, O'Connell made a comeback for Munster against Cardiff Blues in December 2010. He made a Heineken Cup comeback against Ospreys a week later, only to be sent and banned for four weeks. His return was not enough to stop Munster from losing 32-16 to Toulon, meaning Munster failed to advance through the competition pool stage for the first time in 13 years.
O'Connell was elected in the Sixth Squad of the Six Ireland State Championships, playing against Italy, France, Scotland, Wales and England. He was selected at the 2011 Rugby World Cup Worlds training squad for the warm-up test in August 2011. He played in both tests against France, the Irish captain in their final warm-up test against England and was selected in Ireland's 30-man squad to go to New Zealand. Ireland won their opening billiards game against the US, with O'Connell being awarded the Man of the Match. He started in Ireland's 6-15 historic victory against Australia, their first victory against Australia in the World Cup. O'Connell also started against Italy in Ireland's last swimming match. His World Cup ended when Ireland were beaten 22-10 against Wales in the quarter-finals.
It was announced on December 30, 2011 that O'Connell will become Irish captain in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll during the Six Nations Championship 2012. The Irish squad for the 2012 Six Nations is named on January 18, 2012. He is ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations 2012 after a knee injury which is sustained in the match against France, which requires a 3-6 week recovery period.
O'Connell injured his ligaments on his ankle during the Celtic League match against Leinster on 2 April 2011, and was out for four weeks. He made his comeback against Harlequins on April 30, 2011, in a 12-20 Amlin Challenge Cup win. He captains Munster to victory over Leinster at the Magners League Grand Final of 2011.
O'Connell signed a new two-year deal on January 3, 2012 which will keep him playing rugby for Munster and Ireland until the end of the 2013-14 season. He made his comeback from a knee injury suffered in the 2012 Six Nations against Ulster in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals on April 8, 2012. O'Connell suffered another knee injury in the Pro12 Munster league game against Ulster, which kept him out for 4- and made him hesitate for Ireland's 3-Test series against New Zealand in June 2012. Following the absence of the series, O'Connell declared himself fit in August 2012. He also retired as captain of Munster's squad, making way for teammate Doug Howlett on 24 August 2012, has been a captain for more than five years. Back injury extends O'Connell's injury absence at the start of the 2012-13 season. He made his comeback on October 13, 2012, at the opening of the Heineken 2012 Munster Heater fixture going to Racing MÃÆ'Ã… © tro 92.
O'Connell suffered a back injury recurrence in October 2012 and had to undergo surgery on New Year's Eve, which ruled out him from rugby until early April 2013.
However, O'Connell returned early from injury, having made a faster-than-expected recovery, and playing for 40 minutes for Munster A on March 12, 2013. After a full 80 minutes pass for Young Munster, O'Connell then marched out. for Munster's senior team in their league match against Connacht on March 23, 2013, again playing full 80 minutes. He was Captain Munster in the absence of Doug Howlett in the Heineken Cup quarter-final victory 12-18 over Harlequins on 7 April 2013, a match in which he won the Man-of-the-Match award. He was also captain Munster in the 16-10 semi-final defeat to ASM Clermont Auvergne on 27 April 2013.
O'Connell was selected for the third lion tour on April 30, 2013, named in the squad for the UK and Ireland Lions tour 2013 to Australia. He captained the opening game of their tour against Barbarians on June 1, 2013 in the absence of injured Sam Warburton, scoring trials in a 59-8 victory. O'Connell came off the bench in a 12-22 win against the Reds on June 8, 2013. O'Connell started against Waratahs on June 15, 2013. He started in the first Lions Test 21-23 victory against Australia on 22 June 2013. O ' Connell was ruled out of the rest of the 2013 tour after suffering a broken injury in his first Test against Australia. It was announced on 26th June 2013 that O'Connell will stay for the rest of the tour in a coaching role.
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In January 2014, O'Connell signed a new two-year contract to remain at Munster until June 2016. He scored in a 47-23 win against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals on 5 April 2014.
O'Connell started for Munster in their 26-27 away win against Sale Sharks in the European Champions Rugby Cup on 18 October 2014. He also started a 14-3 win against Saracens F.C. in Round 2 on October 24, 2014.
On January 27, 2014, O'Connell was named in the 34 Irish squad for the opening two of the 2014 State Championship Championships. He missed Ireland's opening 28-6 win against Scotland on 2 February 2014 with a chest infection. He returned to the Irish captain against Wales on February 8, 2014. O'Connell started losing 13-10 to England on 22 February 2014. He started against Italy on March 8, 2014. O'Connell started the 20-22 win away to France on 15 March 2014, a guaranteed 2014 Championship win for Ireland.
O'Connell was appointed captain of the Irish team for the 2014 Tour to Argentina on 19 May 2014. He started his first test against Argentina on June 7, 2014. O'Connell also started his second test against Argentina on 14 June 2014.
He was named in the Irish squad for the 2014 Guinness Series on 21 October 2014, continuing as captain. O'Connell embarked on a 29-15 win against South Africa on November 8, 2014. He also started in a 26-23 win against Australia on 22 November 2014, earning the Man-of-the-Match award.
O'Connell was appointed captain in the Irish squad for the 2015 State Championship on 1 February 2015. He started in Ireland's opening three wins against Italy, France and England O'Connell won the 100th cap for Ireland in a whopping 23- 16 to Wales on March 14, 2015, which means Ireland can not get a grand slam. He started in Ireland's final match against Scotland on March 21, 2015, scored his seventh goal internationally in a 10-40 win and led Ireland to the second State Six Championship, the first time Ireland won back-to-back championship since 1948-49. O'Connell also won the Player of the Championship award for the Six Nations 2015. He won the Players of IRUPA Award 2015 Award in May 2015. O'Connell scored in Munster's 50-27 win against Newport Gwent Dragons on May 16, 2015. He starting in 13-31 2015 Pro12 Grand Final Munster defeat against Glasgow Warriors on May 30, 2015.
On June 2, 2015, it was announced that O'Connell had been granted initial exemption from his contract with Munster and IRFU. The contract, due to expire in June 2016, will end at the conclusion of Ireland's Rugby World Cup 2015 campaign, after which O'Connell will retire from international rugby. On June 16, 2015, it was confirmed that O'Connell had joined Toulon on a two-year contract. He is mentioned in the 45-man training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 2015. O'Connell won the Guinness Rugby Player of the Year award in August 2015. He came off the bench for Ireland in their second Rugby World Cup warm-up against Scotland on August 15, 2015. O'Connell started his third warm-up match against Wales on August 29, 2015, his last home game for Ireland. He was named captain of the last 31-man squad for the World Cup when it was announced on September 1, 2015. O'Connell started his final warm-up match against England on 5 September 2015. He started his opening billiard match against Canada on September 19, 2015. O'Connell left the bench in the second swimming match against Romania on September 27, 2015. He started his third swimming match against Italy on 4 October 2015. O'Connell started Ireland's 24-9 victory against France on October 11, 2015, but went with a hamstring injury late in the first half. The injury requires surgery, getting rid of O'Connell from the rest of the World Cup and ending his international career. In December 2015, O'Connell joined the Toulon squad.
On February 9, 2016, O'Connell announced that he must retire from all professional rugby based on medical advice, following an injury he suffered during the 2015 Rugby World Cup with Ireland. Due to injury, O'Connell never played a game for Toulon. In July 2016, it was confirmed that O'Connell had rejoined Munster in an advisory role with the club's academy.
Train a career
O'Connell left his role as an adviser with Munster Academy to become an assistant coach of Ireland's Under-20 team in December 2017.
Media Career
O'Connell joined BBC Sport as a scholar and commentator ahead of their coverage of the 2017 Country Championship and has worked for BBC Sport since then during their coverage of the Autumn International in Wales and Scotland in November 2017 and throughout the 2018 State Championship.
Awards and achievements
International experiment
Munster
- European Rugby Champions League :
- Winner (2): 2005-06, 2007-08
- Pro14 :
- Winner (3): 2002-03, 2008-09, 2010-11
- Celtic Cup :
- Winner (1): 2004-05
Ireland
- Championship of the Six Nations :
- Winner (3): 2009, 2014, 2015
- Grand Slam :
- Winner (1): 2009
- Triple Crown :
- Winner (4): 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
English and Irish Lions
- British and Irish Lion Tours :
- Tourists (3): 2005, 2009, 2013
- Series Winner (1): 2013
Personal life
O'Connell announced on The Late Late Show on January 29, 2010 that his girlfriend Emily O'Leary was six months pregnant with their first child. The baby was born on April 15, 2010 at the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Home in Limerick. He was named Paddy O'Connell. O'Connell and O'Leary got engaged in June 2012 and married on 27 July 2013 at Auch Cathedral, France. They welcome their second child, a daughter named Lola, in November 2014. Their third child, a son named Felix, was born in November 2017.
He has an impressive upper body strength, capable of bench presses of more than 180 kg (400 pounds).
O'Connell was awarded the Freedom of Limerick City in a ceremony in April 2012. In November 2015, O'Connell was awarded with an honorary doctor from the University of Limerick.
He supports the English League football team Everton F.C.
O'Connell is a sole handicap golfer and member of Limerick Golf Club. In September 2016, O'Connell gave a speech to the European players preparing to compete against the Americans in the 2016 Ryder Cup, who had been invited to do so by Darren Clarke, the European captain.
O'Connell released his autobiography in October 2016 titled The Battle . It's named as the Irish Sports Book of the Year for 2016 at the Irish Book Awards.
References
External links
- Munster Profile
- Irish Profile
- Lions Profile
- ERC Profile
- PRO 12 Profile
- ESPN Profile
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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