GALLERY: The legend that is Paul O'Connell down through the years

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Ireland Rugby Tour 2003 Training Paul O'Connell tackled by Ronan O'Gara Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Ireland Rugby Tour 2003 Training Paul O'Connell Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Heineken European Cup Semi-Final 26/4/2003 A tearful Paul O'Connell of Munster Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Patrick Bolger

Six Nations Ireland 3/2/2002 A dejected Paul O'Connell after leaving the field through injury on his debut Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Six Nations Ireland vs Wales 3/2/2002 Paul O'Connell of Ireland celebrates his try ©INPHO/Allsport

RBS Six Nations Rugby Ireland 22/2/2004 Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

International Test Match 14/6/2008 Ireland vs Australia Paul O'Connell dejected after the game Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

RBS Six Nations 4/2/2007 Ireland Paul O'Connell supported by Rory Best Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

RBS Six Nations 21/3/2009 Ireland Paul O'Connell celebrates winning the RBS Six Nations grand slam Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan *** Local Caption ***

RBS Six Nations 21/3/2009 Ireland Paul O'Connell lifts the trophy with John Hayes, Stephen Ferris and Jerry Flannery celebrating winning the RBS Six Nations grand slam Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan *** Local Caption ***

RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stade de France, Paris 15/3/2014 France vs Ireland Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll celebrates Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

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So long, Paulie.

Throughout his 108 caps, O'Connell has been arguably Ireland greatest ever lock and has helped his country to three Six Nations Championships, as well as four Triple Crowns and the memorable Grand Slam in 2009.

This gallery looks at the 35-year-old's career from his earliest days with Munster and Ireland comrade Ronan O'Gara, to last year's memorable Six Nations triumph when he lifted the trophy in tandem with Brian O'Driscoll.

Paul O'Connell tackled by Ronan O'Gara

Ireland Rugby Tour 2003 Training

A tearful O'Connell playing for Munster

A dejected Paul O'Connell after leaving the field through injury on his debut.

Paul O'Connell of Ireland celebrates his try back in 2002. 

Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell

Paul O'Connell dejected after Ireland's defeat to Australia in 2008. 

Paul O'Connell supported by Rory Best in 2007. 

Paul O'Connell celebrates winning the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009.

Paul O'Connell lifts the trophy in 2009 with John Hayes, Stephen Ferris and Jerry Flannery.

Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll celebrate after 2014 Six Nations win.