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Paul O'Connell's Ireland Career is Over

Tuesday, 13 October 2015 10:30

Premature end for an all time great

The news we were hoping wouldn't come, but deep down we knew it would, has been confirmed.

The IRFU have confirmed that Paul O'Connell has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup.

The former Munster second row is to undergo surgery on the hamstring injury picked up against France at the weekend.

The Limerick man has been replaced in the squad by Leinster's Mike McCarthy.

And of course with O'Connell already having announced that he would be retiring from international duty after the World Cup, it means he's played his last game in a green shirt.

The 35 year old won 108 caps with Ireland, the first of which coming in 2001.

A statement from the IRFU read - 

Paul O'Connell suffered a significant hamstring injury and will undergo surgery this week.

Paul will not play again at Rugby World Cup 2015 and his time out of the game will depend on the outcome of the surgery.

Mike McCarthy has been called up to the Ireland squad in place of Paul O'Connell. Mike will arrive in Cardiff today. 

So, sad news indeed.

Thanks for everything Paulie!

Pic: @IrishRugby

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