Rugby legend Paul O'Connell heaps praise on the Limerick hurlers ahead of League final

RUGBY legend Paul O’Connell has heaped praise on the Irish rugby team and the Limerick hurlers.

Speaking during the Team Limerick Clean-Up on Good Friday, the Ireland forwards coach gave an insight into being part of the number one rugby team in the world but also shared his admiration of hurling.

“Similar to the Irish players, I think that one of the big things you love watching about Limerick hurling is that they're a clever team. We've obviously great players. They're big men, they're powerful, they're strong, but crikey, they're a clever team as well," he told the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live.

“They really know how to go about their business. They're a pleasure to watch and we're very lucky to have them. It's such an enjoyable time to be a Limerick hurling fan,” he added. 

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The father-of-three also revealed that while he enjoyed Ireland's Grand Slam win last month, life returned to normal on the Monday after as he got his children back to school. “It's different as a coach and when I won things playing as a player, I didn't have three kids”. 

The former lock, who retired from professional rugby in 2016 after an illustrious career including 108 Irish caps and 178 appearances in the Munster jersey, shared an insight into being part of the number one rugby team in the world. 

“There's no problem keeping the players grounded. They're all very humble fellas. They're down to earth fellas and they're only focus really is about getting better. They're not too worried about trying to stay the number one team in the world, or not too worried about trying to win the World Cup.

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“They're just focused on getting better and hopefully by getting better, that gives us a chance to win things or to stay the number one team in the world. So that's the only focus of the team. And when you look at it that way, it's a little bit easier, I suppose, to manage the expectation."

When asked to describe this incredible Ireland team in one word, the alumnus of Ardscoil Rís chimed: “I think we're smart. Everyone works hard. Everyone trains hard now but our guys are smart in how they go about their business. They're smart in how they train and how they prepare and how they prepare for the opposition and we use our strengths really well so I think smart is probably the word I'd use."