POC retires from rugby

Not sure if this is a international / club topic. Maybe should have a new class - LEGENDS

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35530075

Best of luck to a great player and man. All the best for the future

Great player I loved to hate.

Class class player.

Just seen that. Sad way for the great man to bow out.

Along with Drico by far the greatest Irish player I've seen and one of the best players of the pro era - certainly in the NH. Even better captain and leader.

He's had a fantastic career with Munster and Ireland and was unlucky not to lead the lions to one of their greatest series victory's in 2009 and take Ireland to a RWC SF - other than that he can be pretty satisfied with his lot!

Unbelievable player, shame he couldn't finish the way he would have wanted to

Hated seeing him line up against Wales.
The biggest compliment I could give I suppose.

A man mountain of a player and one who I could quite easily see becoming a World Class coach. People would follow him anywhere.

I know finishing at Toulon wouldn't have been very romantic but he certainly deserved the payday. Almost tempted to send him a few quid to say thanks for the memories.

He had already retired from test rugby, but very sad he didn't get his one last payday working and living in the South of France... real shame, one of my favourite ever players.

A great player. Hope he enjoys his retirement.

Along with Martin Johnson and Simon Shaw i'd love to have seen POC in a Welsh jersey.A great,great player and leader.

I agree with the spirit of the comments from the various opposition fans - a player you'd have loved on your side and one you hated seeing line up against you. Best northern hemisphere 2nd row since Johnno, a player with whom he shared several characteristics.

What an absolutely awesome player. I always hated it when he lined up against England - even when Ireland weren't at their best, you knew he'd always give us a hard time. Gentleman off the pitch and utterly uncompromising on it. A worthy Lions captain and a shining example of how the game should be played.

He will be sadly missed.

TightHEAD wrote:Great player I loved to hate.

Me too.

Utmost respect for this man.

Excellent player, and was always the most magnanimous man in victory or defeat.

O'Connell has been a massive contributor to both Irish and World rugby, I must admit that I did feel sorry for him to cop that injury that prevented him playing a full role in Irelands World cup campaign.

Very fine player indeed - one of the great locks of his era. Brought wonderful intensity to each and every performance and a highly skilled lineout operator.

Legend of the modern era and an absolute gent - Enjoy your retirement sir and speaking as a Welshman I am really glad to see the back of you. Look forward to your punditry at some stage in the future. guinness: :

I like the story matfeild tells about how when they played Ireland POC kept spoiling there lineout ball, it turned out Gert small (I think) had taught POC how to count in Afrikaans so he could work out there line out calls. Learns a new language just to get an edge. The man was a phenomenon

The serious version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha0hq1DjIBI

But much more believable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHc2YwdgIog

TBH he's no AWJ, but a great player all the same.

Happy Retirement big man.

Fair enough!

It is a shame a great player like Paul O'connel has to retire from the game due to injury.

Have a good retirement.

I guess we will see him commentating on the game in the future.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:TBH he's no AWJ, but a great player all the same.

Happy Retirement big man.

brilliant

lostinwales wrote:Fair enough!

Sarcasm doesn't come across well on this board.

Thought I'd get it in before a few Welshmen on here creamed themselves at the amount of love being shown for POC.

My personal thoughts is that he was peerless, more specifically in the NH when it came to leading his team. A proper go-to guy.

I would probably place him in the top 5 most influential captains ever.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

lostinwales wrote:Fair enough!

Sarcasm doesn't come across well on this board.

Thought I'd get it in before a few Welshmen on here creamed themselves at the amount of love being shown for POC.

My personal thoughts is that he was peerless, more specifically in the NH when it came to leading his team. A proper go-to guy.

I would probably place him in the top 5 most influential captains ever.

Its not sarcasm its a reference to the youtube 'a day in the life of Paul O'Connell' as referenced by TJ above. Its very funny if you have never heard it.

A great player and one of the best leaders in rugby of the last few years.

Are we sure this isn't a wind up - like Phil Vickery

lostinwales wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

lostinwales wrote:Fair enough!

Sarcasm doesn't come across well on this board.

Thought I'd get it in before a few Welshmen on here creamed themselves at the amount of love being shown for POC.

My personal thoughts is that he was peerless, more specifically in the NH when it came to leading his team. A proper go-to guy.

I would probably place him in the top 5 most influential captains ever.

Its not sarcasm its a reference to the youtube 'a day in the life of Paul O'Connell' as referenced by TJ above. Its very funny if you have never heard it.

A great player and one of the best leaders in rugby of the last few years.

I think we're on different wavelength's here LIW. My post wasn't in reply to your original youtube post. Completely separate in fact.

I will watch it later though

TightHEAD wrote:Great player I loved to hate.

True that.
OK, never hated any player, but he was an absolute pain in the ass to England and to Saints. Dirty rat bast@rd.
Earned his retirement. Great example for kids. And players of all ages.