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24 of the best pictures from Paul O'Connell's glittering Ireland career

The news today is that one of the country’s greatest ever rugby players has been forced to retire from the international game.

Two Munster and Ireland legends as young men

Paul O'Connell tackled by Ronan O'Gara 2003 INPHO INPHO

Scoring a try on his debut for Ireland in 2002

Rugby Union - Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship - Ireland v Wales Phil Walter Phil Walter

As a fresh-faced 22-year-old

RUGBYU O'Connell PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

What’s that coming over the hill?

Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan 2004 INPHO INPHO

Facing South Africa at Lansdowne Road

Paul O'Connell INPHO INPHO

O’Connell was well able to get himself out of slippery situations

Paul O'Connell 2003 INPHO INPHO

Pictured with Marcus Horan and Jerry Flannery winning one of four Triple Crowns

Marcus Horan, Paul O'Connell and Jerry Flannery with Triple Crown Trophy Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

The master of the line-out

IRELAND RUGBY UNION AUSTRALIA AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Had enough, lads?

Paul O'Connell over Jonny Wilkinson and Tom Rees 24/2/2007 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

He captained the team for the first ever rugby international at Croke Park

Paul O'Connell leads the team out into Croke Park 11/2/2007 Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Catching a Georgian player at the 2007 World Cup 

Rugby Union - IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 - Pool D - Ireland v Georgia - Chaban Delmas Stadium Julien Behal Julien Behal

I see a little silhoutetto of a man…

Paul O'Connell Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Lifting the trophy after Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam win in 2009

Rugby Union - RBS Six Nations Championship 2009 - Wales v Ireland - Millennium Stadium PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Paul O’Connell’s magic, he wears a magic hat

Rugby Union - RBS Six Nations Championship 2009 - Wales v Ireland - Millennium Stadium PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Holding the Six Nations trophy and Triple Crown with wife Emily

Paul O'Connell and partner Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Often copied, never equalled

Paul O'Connell Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Sharing a joke with BOD

Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland are crowned 2014 Six Nations champions

Rugby Union - RBS Six Nations - France v Ireland - Stade de France Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews

Paulie receives his 100th cap from IRFU president Louis Magee

Paul O'Connell receives his 100th cap from Louis Magee Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The green jersey he made his own for so many years

Paul O'Connell's jersey Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Enjoying the ride at Alton Towers

Ireland players at Alton Towers today Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

…And a spot of go karting

Paul O'Connell Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

A sad end: Leaving the pitch on a stretcher against France last weekend

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2015 - Pool D - France v Ireland - Millennium Stadium PA Wire / PA Images PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images

Thanks for the memories

Rugby Union - World Cup Warm Up Match - Ireland v Wales - Aviva Stadium Niall Carson Niall Carson

IRFU confirm Paul O’Connell’s Ireland career is over

Wales players are trying to recreate that try from the night they beat England

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