James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
PAUL O’CONNELL HAS played over 170 games for Munster so whittling down which ones were his best was quite a task.
As always there will be a huge difference in people’s opinions on the matter but here are three of his most memorable games in the famous red jersey.
Harlequins (2013)
O’Connell’s greatest ever performance in a Munster jersey saw him lead the province into the semi-final of the Heineken Cup. What makes his performance all the more outstanding was the fact that he had only returned from a long-term back injury two weeks prior to the game.
As O’Gara kicked all the points in the 18-12 victory it was O’Connell who set the platform for his out-half by dominating the English side’s pack with his physical edge. O’Connell was not even expected to last the full match, but such was his performance it was impossible to withdraw him in such a tight game.
Advertisement
Following the game, Harlequins manager Conor O’Shea said “he is arguably one of the greatest second rows if not the greatest second row that Ireland has ever produced.
“He was absolutely magnificent and as the team rallied around him you could see he was the focal point.”
His emotional interview that followed was a thing of beauty:
A well-fancied Sale Sharks side travelled to Thomond Park high on confidence on the basis of their performances in the English Premiership. Led by the inspirational Sebastien Chabal, Sale were considered among the competition’s favourites from the offset.
O’Connell and his pack set down a marker immediately. O’Gara kicked a restart right into the clutch of Chabal who was hit by both O’Connell and Donnacha O’Callaghan and driven back 20 yards by the onrushing Munster pack.
Munster, led by O’Connell and Anthony Foley, drove on throughout in a relentless forward effort that eventually ensured a bonus-point win that would ultimately see them top the pool and go on to win the competition.
O'Connell doing his best 'Hell Boy' impression. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Clermont (2013)
The retirement of Ronan O’Gara and the collective Munster performance on the day dominated the talk after the game but this was another performance of sheer bravery from O’Connell.
Clermont were overwhelming favourites but Munster managed to really put it up to them and again, it was O’Connell who led the charge. While he made one or two errors during the match, particularly a wild pass that nearly let Brock James in for an intercept try, his overall performance was one of vintage proportions.
A colossus in defence and a decent outlet in attack, carrying the ball considerably more than usual, O’Connell never looked like he was coming into the game with an injury which had been reported. Every hero needs a glorious defeat, and for O’Connell and the departing O’Gara this was it.
The Clermont game was O'Connell's and O'Gara's last game together. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Were these 3 games Paul O'Connell's best-ever performances for Munster?
PAUL O’CONNELL HAS played over 170 games for Munster so whittling down which ones were his best was quite a task.
As always there will be a huge difference in people’s opinions on the matter but here are three of his most memorable games in the famous red jersey.
Harlequins (2013)
O’Connell’s greatest ever performance in a Munster jersey saw him lead the province into the semi-final of the Heineken Cup. What makes his performance all the more outstanding was the fact that he had only returned from a long-term back injury two weeks prior to the game.
As O’Gara kicked all the points in the 18-12 victory it was O’Connell who set the platform for his out-half by dominating the English side’s pack with his physical edge. O’Connell was not even expected to last the full match, but such was his performance it was impossible to withdraw him in such a tight game.
Following the game, Harlequins manager Conor O’Shea said “he is arguably one of the greatest second rows if not the greatest second row that Ireland has ever produced.
“He was absolutely magnificent and as the team rallied around him you could see he was the focal point.”
His emotional interview that followed was a thing of beauty:
Sale (2006)
A well-fancied Sale Sharks side travelled to Thomond Park high on confidence on the basis of their performances in the English Premiership. Led by the inspirational Sebastien Chabal, Sale were considered among the competition’s favourites from the offset.
O’Connell and his pack set down a marker immediately. O’Gara kicked a restart right into the clutch of Chabal who was hit by both O’Connell and Donnacha O’Callaghan and driven back 20 yards by the onrushing Munster pack.
Munster, led by O’Connell and Anthony Foley, drove on throughout in a relentless forward effort that eventually ensured a bonus-point win that would ultimately see them top the pool and go on to win the competition.
Clermont (2013)
The retirement of Ronan O’Gara and the collective Munster performance on the day dominated the talk after the game but this was another performance of sheer bravery from O’Connell.
Clermont were overwhelming favourites but Munster managed to really put it up to them and again, it was O’Connell who led the charge. While he made one or two errors during the match, particularly a wild pass that nearly let Brock James in for an intercept try, his overall performance was one of vintage proportions.
A colossus in defence and a decent outlet in attack, carrying the ball considerably more than usual, O’Connell never looked like he was coming into the game with an injury which had been reported. Every hero needs a glorious defeat, and for O’Connell and the departing O’Gara this was it.
A great – or the greatest? Where does Paul O’Connell rank in the pantheon of Munster legends?
A tribute to Munster legend Paul O’Connell in 38 epic pictures
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
IRFU Legend Munster Paul O'Connell RaboDirect PRO12 Clermont