Our Facebook readers share their tributes to Paul O'Connell

Irish rugby legend Paul O'Connell announced his retirement from rugby today and tributes have been flooding in.

Tue, 09 Feb, 2016 - 00:00

Steve Neville

People from the rugby world including ex-teammates like Ronan O'Gara and Brian O'Driscoll have shared memories and many fans have been expressing their good wishes to Paulie.

BTW Paul played for Ireland and not the Ivory Coast!!!!!🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) February 9, 2016

Our Facebook readers have also paid tribute with some very kind words for the big man which we are sure would bring a smile to his face.

Dave Daly paid his tribute:

If ever a player deserved the term legend it's Paul O'Connell.

A leader and an inspirational person on and off the field, we were lucky to have him play in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland but typical of POC he says he was the lucky one to have the chance.

#thanksPaulie

Eileesh Buckley recounted a time she met O'Connell:

A legend of a player, he never wanted praise for himself but rather emphasised the team and squad. He took child-like delight in joking with supporters about non-rugby topics. Having met him a number of times through the Munster rugby supporters club he was a genuine guy who truly appreciated the supporters who travelled to so many matches over the years.

As a supporter, he was one of those players we knew would never give less than his all. He won supporter's player of the season for Munster even when his appearances were severely limited by injury and international commitments.

I hope his injury enforced retirement will not affect his ability to participate in his leisure sports. No doubt he'll be trying to reduce his golf handicap once more.

Mark O'Hagan was thankful just to have seen him:

The earth is about 4,500,000,000 years old. How fortunate we are to have been alive at just the right time to see the achievements of Paul O'Connell during the 14 years of his professional career.

We agreed with Niamh McNamara:

A magnificent leader, a model sportsperson, and an amazing rugby mind. Thank you, Paul. You're an inspiration to us all.

William C Butt must have had a tear in his eye:

A sad day for club and country a tireless player enjoy your retirement big man. From a loyal fan

El Fricken Gov made a great point

''If we can see farther than you, it's because we stand on the shoulders of giants.'' Or giant shoulders...and they don't come much broader than Paulie's. A true leader, and the epitome of hard work being its own reward. #Legend