The greatest compliment paid to Paul O' Connell was his team's second-half performance at Cardiff last Sunday when Ireland turned a finely balanced contest into a stunning victory over France in the Rugby World Cup. One of the Irish team's finest hours was simultaneously its captain's saddest moment as serious hamstring damage saw him stretchered off the pitch and prematurely out of the game. It is testament to the esprit de corps of this group of players – and of the inspiration and motivation provided by its captain – that they advanced in his absence as well as that of Johnny Sexton and Peter O'Mahony. The latter duo succumbed to injury too but the real insult was to O'Connell whose enforced retirement from the World Cup marks the end of a glorious international career.
That his 108th cap for Ireland became his last, with the prospect of next Sunday’s World Cup quarter final against Argentina in the offing, was a cruel illustration of the vicissitudes of sport. Yet in victory or defeat, whether for Munster, for Ireland or for the British and Irish Lions, O’Connell has met with sporting triumph and disaster before and treated both with stoicism.
Above all he remains the exemplary sportsman and role model: rising through the amateur ranks with Young Munster in the All Ireland League and going on to excel at the highest level through scrupulous attention to detail and an insatiable desire to succeed; one who set the highest standards for himself and demanded the same of others. His inspirational genius was to combine leadership ability with sporting excellence. The fusion of both qualities made him one of Ireland’s greatest players and captains – comparable with the legendary Willie John McBride.
As his old Munster and Ireland colleague, Ronan O’Gara noted: “My sadness is tinged with absolute pride having spent 16 years with one of rugby’s greatest competitors”. A sentiment felt, and shared, throughout Ireland for one who has provided so many with so much enjoyment for so long. It may be untrue that Superman wore “Paul O’Connell” pyjamas. But he certainly could have.