Paul O'Connell: 'We need to have some obstacles in life' 

The former Ireland captain says a little bit of competition is good for children who can learn essential life skills from sports 

Barnardos children’s charity was joined by Paul O’Connell to launch a brand-new school campaign – The Barnardos Big Active supported by Aldi. Pictured at the launch were: (l-r) Elodie Curry, age 9, Oscar McDonald, age 6, Paul O'Connell, and Romeo Wusu, age 10. Pic: Patrick Bolger

Paul O’Connell had what he describes as a ‘blissful’ childhood, growing up in the countryside in Co Limerick with his parents and two brothers. When the rugby legend teamed up with children’s charity Barnardos, however, he realised that not everyone had the same happy and stable experience.

“I visited one of their centres in Limerick and it hit home how lucky I had been, living in the country, having two parents at home, big breakfast in the morning, sent to school with a packed lunch, and help with my homework in the evening, then a big healthy dinner. I thought it was the same for everyone but it isn’t really, when you come to these centres, you see how I had an unbelievably lucky, blissful childhood.”