THE HAMSTRING INJURY which saw Paul O’Connell carted off the field against France on Sunday has brought a premature end to his international career the IRFU officially confirmed this morning.
O’Connell will undergo surgery this week after suffering what was described as a “significant” hamstring injury.
The second row was expected to join Toulon after the World Cup but, in a statement today, the IRFU say that 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 O’Connell.
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O’Connell scored eight tries in 108 appearances for Ireland.
He is one of only four players to reach three figures for his country and third behind Brian O’Driscoll (133) and former Munster team-mate Ronan O’Gara (128).
Leinster lock McCarthy has made 17 appearances for Ireland, including seven from the replacements.
Legend
Well f##k it anyways.
What a career what a man. Irish and world rugby giant if the game. Take your seat with the greats of the game and thank you for everything!!
I’ll drink to that
Hopefully he sticks around and Jamie lets him have the honour of lifting the Webb Ellis as his last duty as Ireland captain.
And being the person he is, he’d probably refuse!
O’Driscoll massively regrets staying on with the Lions in 2005.
I think Paul should concentrate on his rehab, put his feet up and watch the world cup from the comfort of his home. Or the stands, if he can stick it.
Thanks for everything, Paul.
New leaders need to step up and take this journey as far as they can. They don’t need two voices in the dressing room when he can’t lead them on the pitch. Better for the new captain to own the moment now.
He can’t.
He has officially been replaced and can’t be part of the 31 man panel
Unfortunately
Paul stayed with the Lions in 2013 and they said he had a positive influence. I think it depends on his own state of mind.
Dan Carter got a medal in 2011 – I assume POC would get one as well, so presumably could be given the cup to lift as well.
Well I know who I’d fancy in that fight. Eh Paulie you can’t lift that trophy. Really. This trophy here in my hands. Fair enough. Come take it so. What a man. Had the pleasure of meeting him and his sidekick o Callaghan. Talk about a tight relationship. Was great to hear them banter. Lot on the shoulders of Henderson now. I think he is up to it.
I read he’s due to have surgery this week so he’ll probably have to stay off his feet for a while. Reports are it’s a significant injury …. Cian Healy and Tommy Walsh has very serious hamstring injuries too. Hope the surgery and rehab goes well , maybe we will still see him terrorising defences with Toulon in the future
It took Tommy Walsh 12 months to get back and he was in his early 20s. I really hope that Paulies injury isn’t as severe and gets to finish his career on his own terms in the sunny south of France.
who is tommy walsh ??
Tommy Walsh is a Kerry footballer who went to Australia to play Aussie rules and got the same injury as Paulies has now
Would you tell him that to his face!!!!! Amazing man and wonderful ambassador for Ireland.
Thanks for everything paul and best of luck in France.
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader”
sad way to go…
Sickened. Feel terrible for him.
Thanks POC for all the years of fantastic rugby and memories. I’m sure you’ll stay on the staff to inspire the squad for the rest of the WC.
What a role model…. well done Paul and Thankyou from EVERY Irish person. Have a speedy recovery.
I’m afraid for the tv he’ll be watching on Sunday ..
Absolute warrior
Sad end to probably one of the best careers in professional rugby in the northern hemisphere.He is an absolute legend of the game and a leader both on and off the field.Hopefully once he has the surgery he will be brought back into the squad as a motivator for the rest of the campaign. Thanks for the memories Paulie.
Such a damn shame for Paul – he gave everything for the cause. He is a true leader & a bonafide legend of the game – thanks so much Mr O’Connell for everything.
Hero, thanks for everything Paul.
The ultimate Irish rugby leader and warrior.
A true leader!
Thanks so much for everything Paul. An absolute legend. So sound and a gentleman too. Heartbreaking to think his amazing career ended this way.
Devastated for him & for the team. Thanks for everything POC, absolute legend!
As well as that the injury is a major setback on Paul making an impact in France.
What can one say. A legend and a true gentleman.
Well done Big Man
Heart breaking stuff!!
#thankspaulie
Thanks Paul!
“Manic. F*cking. Aggression.”
What a leader. Thanks for the memories, Paul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhgt2pnSywI
Paul O Connell sleeps with the light on..,…because the dark is afraid of him!!
End of an era.You’ll be terribly missed POC.Legend.
What a man and what a loss !
Enjoy France big man and thanks for everything ! :)
Devastated. I hope he goes into coaching. A squad of men would crawl over broken glass for this legend. A true leader who gave his all and more.
#winitforpaulie
Can I just add my best wishes for a speedy recovery and I just hope he is able to come back and finish his illustrious career on the pitch, wherever that might be.
Could we fly Waisake Naholo’s uncle over with some of those magic healing leaves? Paulie could still make the quarter final!
Gutted :(
Thanks for the memories Paul.
Nothing but respect and well wishes for this man.
Safe and speedy recovery Paul.
Terrible news won’t be the same without him on the pitch. Hope all the players give him an opportunity to lift the Webb Ellis cup
Gutted, a warrior, 1 in million
I really hope that he’s able to play in France. he deserves the chance to pick up some €€€
What’s the news on Sexton?
Sexton should be fine. Not as serious as the other two injuries.
A giant of the community, Country and the game of Rugby.
Absolutely gutted at this news not because of the loss to the Irish team but because his international career has ended with him getting carted off the pitch! Thank you Paul!
Thank you Paulie, a legend and a gentlemen!
Another media love in on the way then…..
Go hide in a cave
What have you done for Irish hearts lately, ya bitter fook?
..so they cancelled the World Cup
Ass Hole… A Bit of respect would’nt go astray!!!
Fek off you turnip worrier. The mans not dead.
Ligind
What a loss and such a sad way to go. One of life’s true gentlemen and was still down at the club with the kids every Saturday morning he could make it. He’s going to make some coach.
Who are all the dick heads giving red thumbs to the comments
V sad to see him go – but could be argued its not the worst way to sign off.
getting to bow out as a soldier who couldn’t have given more, in the greatest match in Irish RWC history.
If for some reason that performance is surpassed in this tournament its because POC helped get us there.
A gent on and off the pitch. POC definitely an Irish Rugby Hall of Fame member.
Thank you, Paul O’Connell…………….
What a shame.
Paul gave so much in the group stages that there was no way in hell he was going to make the knockout stages. A true hero.
Anyone going to address the elephant in the room, ie Mike McCarthy v Dan Touhy? McCarthy is pretty useless tbh. Wonder why Tuohy wasn’t called up?
Power horse of a man that ever was, so sad to see him go out of the game this way. Best of luck Paul, thanks for the memories!!
I remember watching an interview with CJ Stander after POC’s last Munster game at the end of last season. Stander was in tears describing how POC was the greatest player he had ever had the honour of playing with …he was so emotional, you could tell he would do anything for O’Connell such is the respect he has .
Sean South would’ve rode shotgun with this Legend. ..Sad are the home’s around Garryowen. .
I feel nothing
Ah shite !!!
Does anybody else think there was anything sinister in the tackle that caused the injury ?
No unfortunately it happens
Assuming he recovers well enough. Can we have a testimonial match for him. I’m pretty sure you could sell out the aviva for that match.