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Paul O’Connell Statement on Retirement

By Guest Writer

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February 9, 2016

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Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards 2015 Paul O’Connell named Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year 11/8/2015 Paul O’Connell has been named The Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at the annual Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards. He was honoured at the awards dinner this evening in the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin. The Ireland team were awarded the Dave Guiney Team of the Year for their Six Nations winning performance. Sophie Spence picked up the Women’s Player of the Year after a fantastic season where she played an instrumental role in the Irish Women’s team Six Nations success. Lansdowne FC were voted Club of the Year due to their success in the All-Ireland League this past season, alongside success at various levels across Leinster. The Tom Rooney Award was awarded to Fred Casey for his exceptional contribution to the development of players for Cork Con, Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions in Ireland. Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions players Tom Grace and Dave Hewitt were inducted into the Guinness Hall of Fame. The award ceremony was hosted by Rory Sheridan of Diageo and Damien O’Meara of the Rugby Writers of Ireland. Pictured Paul O’Connell with The Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year awards Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan — Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards 2015
Paul O’Connell named Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year 11/8/2015

It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from professional rugby following medical advice.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all at Rugby Club Toulonnais for their understanding and support over the past few months.

Since sustaining the injury at the World Cup I have been fully focused on returning to fitness and starting an exciting new chapter for both myself and my family in Toulon. Unfortunately this will no longer be possible.

I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success. I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.

I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career.

Special thanks must go to my wife Emily for her unwavering support through the good and the bad and to my parents Michael and Shelagh.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has supported the teams I have been a part of. The support you have shown me is humbling and an immense source of pride for both myself and my family.

Paul O’Connell

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