Ireland's most successful head coach has taken charge of his final match on the IRFU payroll and will hand the reins to current defence coach Andy Farrell.

Openside flanker TJ Ioane dismissed the suggestion earlier this week that the Pacific Islanders would be preparing a special welcome for Ireland's Kiwi-born centre with Samoan roots

A whole host of singers, actors and former sportspeople took to Clare on Wednesday for the Irish Open Pro-Am.

News of the Munster legend's Paris departure was announced at the end of March

Mike Prendergast has been appointed as Racing 92's new attack coach.

Donal Lenihan runs the rule over the Heineken Cup semi-finalists

Paul O'Connell has dismissed speculation that he could return to a coaching role with Munster anytime soon.

So that’s Friday nearly wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

The commercial firm owned by Irish rugby legend, Paul O’Connell last year enjoyed a bumper year as accumulated profits topped €2m for the first time.

Paul O'Connell has confirmed his departure from Stade Francais.

The ex-Ulster out-half scored a try but his side fell to 46-15 home defeat.

Joe Schmidt believes Ireland boast a crop of players to stand comparison with the Grand Slam winning team of 2009.

A stirring second-half fightback from the Ireland Under-20s fell short as fortune favoured France in a 34-24 Six Nations win for the hosts in Bordeaux.

A worrying number of under 12's here can not run, jump, throw or catch a ball properly, according to a new report.

Peter O'Mahony has been described as "exactly the character you need" for a British and Irish Lions tour as he prepares to captain the tourists against New Zealand on Saturday.

Rory Best believes Ireland have filled the "void" between the northern and southern hemispheres with their historic autumn Test series.

Rory Best has been hailed as one of Ireland's toughest ever Test competitors as the captain closes in on 100 caps.

Ever wondered who might play Paul O’Connell in a film about his life? Well you might be surprised at the Limerick man’s choice for the role.

For once, Paul O’Connell will not be able to lead by example, but his words to Europe’s Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine National last night were set to be, in the words of captain Darren Clarke, “seriously inspirational”.

IRFU chiefs have already had conversations with Paul O'Connell regarding a coaching role with the Union - but acknowledge they may have to wait in line for the talismanic Munster man.

Shock was the overriding emotion on the Cote d’Azur as Paul O’Connell announced his immediate retirement from the sport he has graced so magnificently over the last 14 years.

2001

The men who fought alongside and against Paul O'Connell have their say on the big man.

We were second best in all aspects.

A sad day for Irish Rugby as Argentina secured victory to claim a brilliant win.

Paul O’Connell will go down in history as a “world icon”, according to Lions assistant coach Rob Howley as tributes poured in from around the globe for the Ireland captain.

At one point yesterday, it was probably harder to find messages on social media platforms that were not about Paul O’Connell, as tributes flooded in for the Ireland rugby captain who has now played his last game for his country.

In America, sporting superstars tend to announce their departures in the most grandiose of settings. Cavernous rooms are rented out in major cities. Hundreds of media converge at an appointed hour, all in the hope that they can make the departing legend cry.