Paul O'Connell is ultimate Munster team player, says Alan Quinlan

On Saturday evening Paul O’Connell’s illustrious Munster career will come to an end as he runs out for the final time to take on Glasgow in the Guinness PRO12 final.

After helping Munster reach the final in last Saturday’s semi-final win against the Ospreys, O’Connell casually announced it was to be the last time the Thomond Park faithful saw him at home playing in Munster colours.

It will be the end of a remarkable career which saw him win 173 caps (174 on Saturday) for the Irish province whilst helping them to win two Heineken Cups, three Celtic Leagues and a Celtic Cup.

O’Connell’s subtle announcement with no fanfare is typical of the man, said his former Munster and Ireland team-mate Alan Quinlan, who added that the Munster team was always O’Connell’s focus.

“Paul O’Connell has been an unbelievable leader and player for Munster and they will miss him dearly,” Quinlan told Sky Sports.

“It was so typical for him he not have a big send off at Thomond Park – he just sees it as a distraction for the team and he wanted to limit the distractions for the semi-final against the Ospreys and will do the same thing for the final.

“He never wanted the attention but that comes with the territory when you become a player and leader of his stature – and because he was such a leader he handled the attention and the limelight with the same determination he had on the field. The team was always front and centre for him and he was never one for making a fuss about himself.

"I think his skills as a player, his abilities as a leader and his team ethic is what has separated him from a lot of players."

Drive and determination

O'Connell's traing regime was legendary, with Brian O'Driscoll saying he trained with manic intensity, and Quinlan says this determination to get better and better was evident the first time he met him.

Quinlan added: “I remember him coming into the Munster squad and we were all trying to figure out who this gangly red-head from the Young Munster club was.

"I had heard some stuff about him but even as a youngster you could see that the passion and enthusiasm he had for the game – straight away I knew that he was going to make it because of his desire to get better be it on the pitch or in the gym.

Paul was brilliant at setting a really high standard and challenging himself and others to reach that standard. He made players stand up and be counted – no one wanted to let him down.

"His drive and determination has had a massive impact on Munster too. Every day he would want to be a better player and that inspired those around him to get better too.  Paul was brilliant at setting a really high standard and challenging himself and others to reach that standard. He made players stand up and be counted – no one  wanted to let him down.

“We became very close over the years and we have fought and argued with each other but I loved playing with him and it was an honour to be in the same team as him. You knew that you had someone in the team who was willing to do anything for you as a team-mate – he was always concerned about the team, it was never about him or any glory for him, it was always about Munster and getting success for the team. “

Quinlan, who played a record 212 times for Munster, would have loved to have seen O’Connell get the sending-off he deserved at Thomond Park but understands that for O’Connell it was just not important.

“I was quite sad for him though as I think he deserved a proper send-off at Thomond Park, but he will sit back and focus on what is best for the team and what he can do to make sure they win the Guinness PRO12 title – that will be the only send-off he needs.”

Watch Paul O'Connell in his final game for Munster as they take on Glasgow in the Guinness PRO12 final, Sat, 6pm, Sky Sports 3