Paul O'Connell

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For the hillclimbing driver, see Paul O'Connell (motorsports).
Paul O'Connell
O'Connell warming up for Munster.
Full name Paul Jeremiah O'Connell
Date of birth (1979-10-20) 20 October 1979 (age 33)
Place of birth Limerick, Ireland
Height 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight 110 kg (17 st 4 lb, 242 lb)
School Ardscoil Rís
University University of Limerick
Notable relative(s) Mick O'Connell – Father, Sheila O'Connell – Mother, Marcus O'Connell - Brother
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Lock
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
Young Munster
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2001–present Munster 159 (90)
correct as of 4 May 2013.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2002–present
2005, 2009, 2013		 Ireland
Lions		 85
6		 (30)
(0)
correct as of 5 Mar 2012.

Paul Jeremiah O'Connell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick, Ireland) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays Lock for Munster and Ireland. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour to South Africa.

Contents

Early life [edit]

O'Connell was a star swimmer when he was younger, starting his training with Seal Swimming Club under the watchful guidance of John Dempsey and Jerry Ryan, before moving on to the Limerick squad. O'Connell attended the Model School and Ardscoil Rís in Limerick, and played rugby under Des Harty's tutelage, representing Irish Schools in 1997–98 along with international teammate Gordon D'Arcy. He also played five consecutive games with the Ireland U21s with Donncha O'Callaghan as his second row partner.[1] O'Connell has completed 3 out of 4 years of a Computer Engineering degree at the University of Limerick, deferring the remainder of the degree in order to concentrate on rugby.[2]

Munster [edit]

O'Connell made his debut for Munster on 17 August 2001, in a Celtic League fixture against Edinburgh Rugby.[3] He started for Munster in their 2002 Heineken Cup Final defeat to Leicester Tigers on 25 May 2002.[4]

He was part of the Munster squad that won the 2002-03 Celtic League.[5] O'Connell also won the 2005 Celtic Cup with Munster, defeating Llanelli Scarlets 27-16 in the final.[6]

O'Connell was an integral member of the Munster team that won the 2005-06 Heineken Cup, playing a crucial role in defeating Biarritz Olympique 19-23 in the 2006 Heineken Cup Final.[7][8]

He became Munster captain in July 2007, succeeding Anthony Foley.[9]

O'Connell led Munster to their second Heineken Cup triumph in the 2007-08 season, defeating Toulouse 16-13 in the 2008 Heineken Cup Final.[10] He also led the side to victory in the 2008-09 Celtic League.[11]

After being out through injury for nine months, O'Connell made his comeback for Munster against Cardiff Blues in December 2010.[12] He made his Heineken Cup comeback against Ospreys a week later, only to be sent off and banned for four weeks.[13][14] He returned against Toulon and London Irish.[15][16]

O'Connell injured ligaments in his ankle during the Munster-Leinster Magners League match on 2 April 2011, and was out for four weeks.[17] He making his comeback against Harlequins on 30 April 2011, in the 12-20 Amlin Challenge Cup defeat.[18]

He captained Munster to victory over Leinster in the 2011 Magners League Grand Final.[19]

O'Connell signed a new two year contract on 3 January 2012 that will see him continuing to play his rugby for Munster and Ireland until the end of the 2013-14 season.[20][21] He made his comeback from the knee injury suffered in the 2012 Six Nations against Ulster in the Heineken Cup quarter-final on 8 April 2012.[22] O'Connell suffered another knee injury in Munster's Pro 12 league game against Ulster, which ruled him out for 4–6 weeks and made him a doubt for Ireland's 3-Test series against New Zealand in June 2012.[23] Having missed the series, O'Connell declared himself fit in August 2012. He also stood down as Munster squad captain, making way for teammate Doug Howlett on 24 August 2012, having been captain for just over five years.[24] A back injury prolonged O'Connell's injury-enforced absence at the beginning of the 2012-13 season. He made his comeback on 13 October 2012, in Munster's opening fixture of the 2012-13 Heineken Cup away to Racing Métro 92.[25]

O'Connell suffered a recurrence of his back injury in October 2012 and had to undergo surgery on New Years Eve, which ruled him out of rugby until early April 2013.[26] However, O'Connell returned early from the injury, having made a quicker-than-expected recovery, and played 40 minutes for Munster A on 12 March 2013.[27] Having come through a full 80 minutes for Young Munster, O'Connell then lined out for the senior Munster side in their league fixture against Connacht on 23 March 2013, again playing the full 80 minutes.[28] He captained Munster in the absence of Doug Howlett in the 12-18 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Harlequins on 7 April 2013, a game in which he won the Man-of-the-Match award.[29] He also captained Munster in the 16-10 semi-final defeat to ASM Clermont Auvergne on 27 April 2013.[30]

Ireland [edit]

O'Connell made his debut for Ireland against Wales in the 2002 Six Nations Championship, starting alongside Mick Galwey and scoring a try.[31] He was named in Ireland's squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup[32] and played against Romania,[33] Namibia,[34] Argentina[35] and Australia[36] in the pool stage, and the 43-21 quarter-final defeat to France.[37]

In Ireland's opening game of the 2004 Six Nations Championship, O'Connell captained the side in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll.[38] He also played in the game against Scotland on 27 March 2004, a game in which Ireland secured their first Triple Crown for 19 years.[39]

He was also part of the Ireland team that won a Triple Crown in the 2006 Six Nations Championship.[40]

He scored the last ever International try at the Old Lansdowne Road before it was demolished and rebuilt as the Aviva Stadium, a game in which Ireland won their third Triple Crown in four years.[41]

O'Connell was shortlisted for the International Rugby Board player of the year in 2006, and was the only Northern Hemisphere nominee. The other four nominees were Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Chris Latham and Fourie du Preez. McCaw was the eventual winner.[42]

O'Connell again took over from an injured O'Driscoll as Ireland captain in their historic match against France in the 2007 Six Nations Championship, the first rugby match ever at Croke Park.[43] O'Connell was awarded the Man of the Match accolade following Ireland's historic (and record breaking) 43–13 win over England at Croke Park during the 2007 Six Nations Championship.[44]

He was named in Ireland's squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.[45] He played against Namibia,[46] Georgia,[47] France[48] and Argentina,[49] as Ireland crashed out in the pool stage of the tournament.

Paul O'Connell winning the lineout against Argentina at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

O'Connell was a member of the victorious Ireland team that won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam.[50]

O'Connell in action for Ireland

He played in all of Ireland's 2009 November Test matches against Australia,[51] Fiji[52] and South Africa.[53] O'Connell missed Ireland's first two matches of the 2010 Six Nations Championship due to injury, but returned to play England, Wales and Scotland. He missed Ireland's 2010 Summer Tests due to a groin injury that became infected, and also missed the 2010 Autumn Tests.

O'Connell was selected in Ireland's 2011 Six Nations Championship squad,[54] playing against Italy,[55] France,[56] Scotland,[57] Wales[58] and England.[59]

He was selected in Ireland's 2011 Rugby World Cup training squad for the warm-up tests in August 2011.[60] He played in both tests against France,[61][62] captained Ireland in their final warm-up Test against England[63] and was selected in Ireland's 30-man squad to go to New Zealand.[64] He received the Man of the Match award in the opening pool game against the USA.[65] He started in Ireland's historic 6-15 victory against Australia, their first win against Australia at a World Cup.[66] O'Connell also started against Italy in Ireland's final pool game.[67] He started against Wales in their 22-10 quarter-final defeat.[68]

It was announced on 30 December 2011 that O'Connell would captain Ireland in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll during the 2012 Six Nations Championship.[69][70] The Ireland squad for the 2012 Six Nations was named on 18 January 2012.[71] He was ruled out for the remainder of the 2012 Six Nations after a knee injury sustained in the game against France, which required a recovery period of 3–6 weeks.[72]

The knee injury was worse than first feared and it ruled O'Connell out of the 2012 Ireland tour to New Zealand.[73] He was also ruled out of the 2012 Autumn Tests with a back injury.[74] Surgery to resolve the back injury ruled O'Connell out of the 2013 Six Nations Championship.[75]

British and Irish Lions [edit]

O'Connell was selected in the squad for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.[76] He won his first Test cap for the Lions on 25 June 2005, starting in the first test defeat to New Zealand.[77] O'Connell also started the second and third tests.[78][79]

On 21 April 2009, O'Connell was named as the British and Irish Lions Captain for the 2009 tour to South Africa.[80] He started the first test defeat with Alun Wyn Jones on 20 June 2009,[81] but started the narrow second test loss with Simon Shaw.[82] O'Connell led the Lions to their first test victory since 2001 in the third test.[83]

O'Connell was selected for his third Lions tour on 30 April 2013, named in the squad for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.[84]

Personal life [edit]

O'Connell announced on the Late Late Show on 29 January 2010 that his girlfriend Emily O'Leary was six months pregnant with their first child. Paul and Emily have been together since he was 20. The couple welcomed a baby boy on 15 April 2010. The baby was born just before midnight at the Mid-Western Regional Maternity in Limerick and weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs 10 ounces.[85] He has been named Paddy O'Connell. They became engaged in June 2012.[86]

O'Connell was awarded the Freedom of Limerick City in a ceremony in April 2012.[87]

Honours [edit]

Munster [edit]

Ireland [edit]

British and Irish Lions [edit]

  • British and Irish Lions tours:

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Munster Rugby squad profile". munsterrugby.ie. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  2. ^ "Rugby star Paul O'Connell set to tie the knot". limerickleader.ie. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  3. ^ "Edinburgh Rugby 22-25 Munster Rugby". munsterrugby.ie. 17 August 2001. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  4. ^ "Leicester Tigers 15-9 Munster Rugby". munsterrugby.ie. 25 May 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  5. ^ "Victory! - Munster Crowned Celtic League Champions". munsterrugby.ie. 1 February 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  6. ^ "Celtic Cup Glory". munsterrugby.ie. 14 May 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  7. ^ "Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque 19-23 Munster Rugby". munsterrugby.ie. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  8. ^ "Munster Crowned European Champions". munsterrugby.ie. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  9. ^ "Paul O'Connell Captains Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  10. ^ "Munster Champions of Europe". munsterrugby.ie. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  11. ^ "Magners is Munster's". munsterrugby.ie. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  12. ^ "Alright On The Night". munsterrugby.ie. 5 December 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  13. ^ "Munster Remain On Track". munsterrugby.ie. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  14. ^ "Four Weeks For O'Connell". munsterrugby.ie. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  15. ^ "Out Of Sorts And Out Of Heineken". munsterrugby.ie. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  16. ^ "Late Try Flurry Seals Bonus Point Win". munsterrugby.ie. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  17. ^ "Positive News For O'Connell". munsterrugby.ie. 14 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  18. ^ "Munster Out Of Amlin". munsterrugby.ie. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  19. ^ "Munster Crowned Magners League Champions". munsterrugby.ie. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  20. ^ "O'Connell Signs On The Dotted". munsterrugby.ie. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012. 
  21. ^ "O'Connell Signs New Contract". irishrugby.ie. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012. 
  22. ^ "Munster Go Crashing Out". munsterrugby.ie. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  23. ^ "O'Connell and Varley Out". munsterrugby.ie. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2012. 
  24. ^ "Doug Howlett Named Squad Captain". munsterrugby.ie. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. 
  25. ^ "Defeat Snatched From The Jaws Of Victory?". munsterrugby.ie. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  26. ^ "Successful Operation For O'Connell". munsterrugby.ie. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  27. ^ "Munster Win Competitive A Battle". munsterrugby.ie. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013. 
  28. ^ "Munster Return To Winning Ways". munsterrugby.ie. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013. 
  29. ^ "Alone They Stand". munsterrugby.ie. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2013. 
  30. ^ "Munster Lose A Game Of Two Halves". munsterrugby.ie. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013. 
  31. ^ "Ireland Crush Wales at Lansdowne". irishrugby.ie. 3 February 2002. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  32. ^ "Ireland World Cup Squad 2003". irishrugby.ie. 9 September 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  33. ^ "Ireland Off To Impressive Start". irishrugby.ie. 11 October 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  34. ^ "Ireland Crush Namibia". irishrugby.ie. 19 October 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  35. ^ "Blood 'n' Guts Performance Sees Irish Through". irishrugby.ie. 26 October 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  36. ^ "Superb Irish Lose By A Point". munsterrugby.ie. 1 November 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  37. ^ "A Bridge Far Too Far". irishrugby.ie. 9 November 2003. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  38. ^ "Two New Caps On French Side". irishrugby.ie. 9 February 2004. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  39. ^ "RBS Six Nations - Triple Crown Day in Dublin". irishrugby.ie. 27 March 2004. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  40. ^ "Ireland's Late, Late Show". irishrugby.ie. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  41. ^ "Ireland Made To Sweat For Triple Crown Win". irishrugby.ie. 11 March 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  42. ^ "McCaw named IRB Player of the Year". irb.com. 26 November 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2006. 
  43. ^ "Clerc Try Sees Slam Hopes Slip Away". irishrugby.ie. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  44. ^ "Happy Ending To A Historic Day". irishrugby.ie. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  45. ^ "Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad Announcement". irishrugby.ie. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  46. ^ "Shaky Start From Ireland As Namibia Take The Plaudits". irishrugby.ie. 9 September 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  47. ^ "Ireland Hang On For Victory Against Gritty Georgians". irishrugby.ie. 16 September 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  48. ^ "Ireland Staring At Early Exit After French Defeat". irishrugby.ie. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  49. ^ "Pumas Hold The Edge As Ireland Miss Out On Quarter-Finals". irishrugby.ie. 30 September 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  50. ^ "Ireland Are Grand Slam Champions!". irishrugby.ie. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  51. ^ "O'Driscoll Try Snatches Late Draw For Ireland". irishrugby.ie. 15 November 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  52. ^ "Ireland Run Out Comfortable Winners Over Fiji". irishrugby.ie. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  53. ^ "Springboks Succumb To Inspired Ireland". irishrugby.ie. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  54. ^ "Ireland Squad Announced For RBS Six Nations". irishrugby.ie. 19 January 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  55. ^ "O'Gara Kicks Ireland To Nail-Biting Victory". irishrugby.ie. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  56. ^ "Ireland Miss Out In Frantic Finish". irishrugby.ie. 13 February 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  57. ^ "Try Haul Helps Ireland Defeat Scotland". irishrugby.ie. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  58. ^ "Ireland Beaten In Cardiff Cliffhanger". irishrugby.ie. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  59. ^ "Super-Charged Ireland Storm To Victory". irishrugby.ie. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  60. ^ "Ireland Training Squad Is Announced". irishrugby.ie. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  61. ^ "Improved Second Half Sees Ireland Go Close". irishrugby.ie. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  62. ^ "Late Surge Not Enough Against In-Form France". irishrugby.ie. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  63. ^ "Two-Try England Get The Better Of Ireland". irishrugby.ie. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  64. ^ "Ireland Rugby World Cup Squad Announcement". irishrugby.ie. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  65. ^ "Ireland Off To Winning Start As Bowe Bags Brace". irishrugby.ie. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  66. ^ "Inspired Ireland Create History In Auckland". irishrugby.ie. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  67. ^ "Three-Try Ireland Go Through As Pool Winners". irishrugby.ie. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  68. ^ "Ireland's World Cup Journey Ended By Wales". irishrugby.ie. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  69. ^ "Paul O'Connell To Captain Ireland". munsterrugby.ie. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  70. ^ "O'Connell Named Ireland Captain For RBS 6 Nations". irishrugby.ie. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011. 
  71. ^ "Ireland And O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Squads Announced". irishrugby.ie. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012. 
  72. ^ "O'Connell And Murray Ruled Out For Rest Of Championship". irishrugby.ie. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012. 
  73. ^ "O'Connell Ruled Out Of Summer Tour". munsterrugby.ie. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  74. ^ "No South Africa Action For Paul O'Connell". munsterrugby.ie. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  75. ^ "Successful Operation For O'Connell". munsterrugby.ie. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  76. ^ "Eleven Irish Included In Lions Squad". irishrugby.ie. 11 April 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  77. ^ "Nightmare Test Start For Lions". irishrugby.ie. 26 June 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  78. ^ "Lions Walloped In Wellington". irishrugby.ie. 2 July 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  79. ^ "All Blacks Secure Test Whitewash". irishrugby.ie. 9 July 2005. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  80. ^ "British & Irish Lions Squad Announced". irishrugby.ie. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  81. ^ "Lions Run Out Of Time In Durban". irishrugby.ie. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  82. ^ "Heartbreaking Finish For The Lions". irishrugby.ie. 27 June 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  83. ^ "Lions Battle To Deserved Test Win". irishrugby.ie. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  84. ^ "Murray And O'Connell In Lions". munsterrugby.ie. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013. 
  85. ^ "Tiny steps are one giant leap for O'Connell". independent.ie. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2013. 
  86. ^ "Rugby star Paul O'Connell set to tie the knot". limerickleader.ie. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 
  87. ^ "Rugby international Paul O'Connell receives the Freedom of Limerick City". limerick.ie. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013. 

External links [edit]
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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Doug Howlett		 Munster captain
Apr 13		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Brian O'Driscoll		 Ireland captain
Mar 12		 Succeeded by
Rory Best
Preceded by
Brian O'Driscoll
Tour Captain
Gareth Thomas
Active captain		 British and Irish Lions Captain
2009		 Succeeded by
Sam Warburton
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