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As the news broke that Paul O'Connell would not play any further part in Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign, Twitter started to buzz with tributes.
O’Connell suffered a torn hamstring in Ireland’s bruising 24-9 victory over France on Sunday, which set the side up for a quarter final against Argentina.
The injury brings the decorated lock’s career with Ireland to an abrupt end, and Twitter responded accordingly, with #ThanksPaulie quickly trending.
This is so wrong on many levels. One of the greatest leaders & players of them all. Inspirational. https://t.co/8blR5e2tJp
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) October 13, 2015Paul O Connell spent last night in Hospital. We alll hope for a quick recovery
— Brent Pope (@RealBrentPope) October 12, 2015My sadness is tinged with absolute pride having spent 16 years with one of Rugby's greatest competitors.
#gentleman
#Leader
#1ofakind
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) October 13, 2015A leader, a warrior, a gentleman - @Paul_OConnell has played his last for Ireland. #ShoulderToShoulder #RWC2015 pic.twitter.com/xNmt6YqIpX
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 13, 2015Gutted for Paul O Connell this morn,one of the most iconic and inspirational sportspersons of our generation #legend #hero #RWC2015
— Ken Doherty Official (@kendoherty1997) October 13, 2015Unlikely we'll be seeing @Paul_OConnell wearing an @IrishRugby shirt again, which I'm so disappointed about #IRE http://t.co/fJhlCLzphR
— Peter Stringer (@stringer9) October 12, 2015You always want to finish on your own terms but sport can be cruel!! True leader & inspiration...hope he gets back to play in France #iconic
— Niamh Briggs (@niamhbriggs15) October 13, 2015So Paul's World Cup/test career is over. No way for it to end, but fittingly went out a winner. Some career. Some legacy. The best.
— Gerry Thornley (@gerrythornley) October 13, 2015A trailblazer for @IrishRugby He gave everything for green #ThanksPaulie https://t.co/FCpz0rlSJJ
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 13, 2015Always led from the front! #ThanksPaulie https://t.co/vABYsnQTd9
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) October 13, 2015So #ThanksPaulie is trending at number 2 in Ireland, above the budget. Can we please get it to number 1? It would only be fitting.
— Kino (@RugbyKino) October 13, 2015"Manic aggression. Did you put the fear of god into anyone? We should be going bananas for 40mins" #ThanksPaulie
— Jack Madden (@JackMaddenXV) October 13, 2015Congratulations @Paul_OConnell on an incredible International career. Shame to see it end the way it did,but 108 caps and 13yrs is some feat
— Billy Vunipola (@bvunipola) October 13, 2015Mike McCarthy has been named as O’Connell’s replacement. Peter O’Mahony was also ruled out after suffering knee ligament damage and Leinster’s Rhys Ruddock has also been called into the squad.
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