Paul O’Connell plays it cool to the end

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell admits retiring in a blaze of glory after this autumn’s World Cup would be the natural way to bow out from his stellar rugby career but a recent conversation with AP McCoy is preventing him from making any premature announcements.

Iconic jump jockey McCoy dismounted for the last time at Sandown Park on Saturday to end a record-breaking career in the saddle. Yet McCoy’s decision to announce his intention to retire in early February turned the intervening period into something of an ordeal for the jockey. O’Connell knows McCoy through racehorse owner JP McManus, whose green and gold racing colours are taken from those of the rugby star’s local Limerick GAA club South Liberties and speaking with him confirmed for the former British and Irish Lions captain that he should wait until he was 100% certain of any decision to quit or play on beyond the 2015 World Cup.

“I have chatted to so many people about it and people have been talking about retiring at the top. And while I agree with them it is very hard to walk away when you’re enjoying it. I love training more than ever and I love being involved in the build-up to matches, with the coaches and trying to figure things out. I’m looking forward to pre-season already.