Tributes are piling in for the legendary Paul O’Connell, who has just retired from rugby

What a man.

Irish rugby hero and all round icon Paul O'Connell announced his retirement from all forms of rugby today. The Munster and Ireland hero, whose move to Toulon never got going following an international career-ending injury picked up at last year's World Cup, has taken medical advice and reluctantly called time on his career. Tributes have been pouring in from all over the place this morning.

We said it before, we'll say it again. Thanks @Paul_OConnell #ThanksPaulie #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/OTo2F1snBM

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2016

Paul O’Connell has announced his retirement from rugby. #ThanksPaulie for a magnificent & trailblazing career! pic.twitter.com/C1yxiWU4uA

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 9, 2016

Vintage Paulie here.

"F*cking manic aggression!"https://t.co/Psg3hmko5b

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 9, 2016

Really disappointing to see @Paul_OConnell having to retire. Sensational career in Red & Green. Simply irreplaceable.

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 9, 2016

Best of luck in your retirement #ThanksPaulie https://t.co/mjXnfjefc0

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) February 9, 2016

Pity that Paul O'Connell didn't get to chose his exit from playing but fitting he finished in Green competing & leading as always #Legend

— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) February 9, 2016

One of our favourite Paulie moments - the most intense photobomb of all-time #ThanksPaulie https://t.co/oOrklxztQV

— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) February 9, 2016

He always tells it as it is! @Paul_OConnell on the difference between backs and forwards #ShoulderToShoulder https://t.co/g89MbUFEn8

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2016

Brilliant pic of Paulie from Aug 2001, the month he made his Munster debut. The hair! #ThanksPaulie Credit: Inpho pic.twitter.com/EBXjaUeFUg

— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) February 9, 2016

Best wishes on your retirement @Paul_OConnell - a @Munsterrugby, @IrishRugby & @lionsofficial legend! pic.twitter.com/KATU43pHc5

— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) February 9, 2016

BREAKING...Paul O'Connell has announced his retirement #Irishrugbylegend

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) February 9, 2016

Paul O'Connell's career ended by injury but he went out at the top, one of the best ever, playing at his best in beating France at Rwc15.

— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) February 9, 2016

So many great things about Paul O'Connell. He maintained immense standards to the end. 6 Nations Player of Tournament 2015 speaks volumes

— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) February 9, 2016

Sad that @Paul_OConnell has been forced to retire. Incredible career and great man. Would still make most teams on 1 leg! #ThanksPaulie

— Rob Henderson (@robhendo13) February 9, 2016

A rugby giant and Munster legend #thanksPaulie

— Barry O'Sullivan (@barrysul) February 9, 2016

#ThanksPaulie If anyone epitomised #Munster #SUAF & #Sportsmanship - it was surely you - thank you

— Richard Daly (@richarddaly) February 9, 2016

Sad to see sporting legends go out when it's not on their own terms. Did great things for Irish rugby in his time though #ThanksPaulie

— Paul Leigh (@13Midnight13) February 9, 2016

What a CV.#ThanksPaulie pic.twitter.com/uPMRgtvwtR

— James Tennant (@_jameslt) February 9, 2016

A legend of the game. #ThanksPaulie pic.twitter.com/iqpgiDnVaM

— MunsterBecks (@Beckinder) February 9, 2016

Absolutely gutted for Paul O'Connell!!

— Lisa Lawlor (@Lisa_Lawlor) February 9, 2016

Don't know if we'll see another like him. #ThanksPaulie pic.twitter.com/yBq4GwTCr4

— Jonathan Fitzpatrick (@jfitz92) February 9, 2016

Making the impossible seem possible for Club & Country. The Greatest forward Ireland has ever seen. #ThanksPaulie https://t.co/9qzuJWmm7h

— Daragh P. Frawley (@LeFrawls) February 9, 2016

A one man-club. #ThanksPaulie pic.twitter.com/b6xpwbNwaj

— Lotfi Wada (@LotfiWada) February 9, 2016