Paul O'Connell Announces His Retirement

In a statement this morning, Paul O'Connell confirmed he was retiring from the game.

The Ireland and Munster legend had been out of action since the severe hamstring injury picked up in the World Cup game with France last year.

In a statement on the IRFU website, O'Connell said

It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Rugby Club Toulonnais for their understanding and support over the past few months.

Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon. Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.

I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success. 

I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.

A farewell statement from @Paul_OConnell on his full retirement https://t.co/JZaTw1bnGY pic.twitter.com/C6824hHN5z

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2016

I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career.

Special thanks must go to my wife Emily for her unwavering support through the good and the bad and to my parents Michael and Shelagh.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has supported the teams I have been a part of. The support you have shown me is humbling and an immense source of pride for both myself and my family.

O'Connell made 108 appearances for Ireland in a stellar career, and lined out 174 times for Munster.

Speaking to RTE's Michael Corcoran this morning, O'Connell said that as soon as it became apparent that the injury wouldn't heal, making the decision to retire wasn't too difficult.

It's just too bad an injury, in a difficult place, particularly for rugby players. People might say I wasn't too fast and powerful anyway, but every bit of power and speed comes from that area. 

So once I realised that in my head, it wasn't difficult. I think you can only be disappointed with things you could have done differently, and you can look back and think of what you could have done differently, but I don't think there's anything else really I could have done wrong, so it's just time to start moving forward.