Ireland v Wales, Lansdowne Road, 2002
An impressive starting point to an immense career, he was driven over for a try on his debut against Wales but sadly for him he had no memory as he suffered a concussion.
Ireland v France, Stade de France, 2004
He captained national side for the first time, a notable landmark, but it was the last match in this campaign against Scotland at Lansdowne Road in which he produced another towering performance as Ireland won the Triple Crown for the first time in 19 years.
Ireland v South Africa, Lansdowne Road, 2006
He was the only player from the northern hemisphere shortlisted for IRB World Player of the Year and his performance against the Springboks was perhaps a highlight in a brilliant 2006.
Ireland v England, Croke Park, 2007
In the absence of Brian O’Driscoll he led Ireland in the first ever match against France in Croke Park and few will forget his dressing room exhortations but his performance against England was superb, winning the man-of-the-match accolade.
Munster v Toulouse, Millennium Stadium, 2008
He was present for Munster’s two European Cup final victories, scoring a try in the quarterfinal win in 2006 and playing a huge role in the semi-final win over Leinster and then the final against Biarritz Olympique. He captained the side to glory in 2008 - playing an important role in the build-up to his side’s only try - against Toulouse.
Lions v South Africa, Ellis Park, 2009
It was arguably one of the best British & Irish Lions Test series of all time with the visitors suffering heartbreakingly narrow defeats in the first two tests, but captain O’Connell inspired his injury ravaged side to a famous victory in the third test in Johannesburg. The Irishman led the squad brilliantly, for the entire tour.
Ireland v Australia, Auckland, 2011
Ireland had known nothing but despair against the Wallabies in previous World Cups but that changed in 2011, and it was largely down to a brilliant scrum and the choke tackling of the Ireland players with O’Connell leading the way. Australia coughed up enough penalties to ensure their downfall.
Harlequins v Munster, The Stoop, 2013
These words drawn from a match report sum up his contribution to this Heineken Cup quarterfinal win. “Paul O’Connell has been out for seven months with a back injury but he was head and shoulders above the rest here, galvanising his fellow forwards and taking it to the opposition for the full 80 minutes as if he had never been away.”
Lions v Australia, Brisbane, 2013
This is more an example of his ferocious competitive spirit and high pain threshold. He broke his arm and as the medical team turned expecting him to accompany them off the pitch, he was taking his place in the scrum. The Lions won but it proved his last test match in a red jersey.
Ireland v France, Millennium Stadium, 2015
His final game for Ireland and one in which he led his side brilliantly before he was forced off with a career-ending injury on the stroke of half time. Ireland were victorious but fell to pieces in his absence against Argentina in the quarter-finals.
