Alan Quinlan has paid tribute to former Munster and Ireland team-mate Paul OConnell, whose determination to succeed led to the nickname Psycho. OConnell announced his retirement from all forms of rugby on Tuesday, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than 14 years at the top.A severe hamstring injured suffered against France during the World Cup marked his final international appearance for his country, but the second row had signed a two-year deal with Toulon that started at the beginning of the current season. Its an incredible legacy to be honest, just the impact hes had on the game - not just in Ireland but throughout the world. Hes known as an iconic figure and a really fantastic leader. Alan Quinlan on Paul OConnell However after failing to fully recover from the injury, OConnell was advised by doctors to call time on a playing career that was decorated with three Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam with Ireland, and five European and PRO12 trophies with Munster.OConnells success at the top was a direct result of his determination to succeed, according to Quinlan. OConnell announces retirement Paul OConnell announces retirement from rugby Hes a hard man and hes very driven, the former Munster and Ireland back-row told Sky Sports. Weve been close as friends and he was never afraid to tell someone if they werent pulling their weight or if they werent focused or concentrating enough for the team. Former Ireland and Lions captain Paul OConnell has announced his retirement from rugby We had plenty of rows and arguments over the years about lineouts and about different strategies. Youve got to be tough, youve got to be resilient, youve got to be very determined and aggressive to achieve what he has achieved. OConnell: Ive been very lucky Paul OConnell reflects on long and enjoyable career We called him Psycho, Ronan OGara and myself. He was so psycho and so driven to succeed, and anyone or anything that gets in his way, he just goes straight out over them. Thats the determination.Its a great drive and a desire thats got him an incredible amount of achievement. Paul OConnell celebrates scoring a try on his Ireland debut against Wales in 2002 OConnell and Quinlan played together for club and country for 10 years, and Quinlan says he is not surprised by the outpouring of respect for his his former team-mate, adding that his leadership qualities were obvious from an early age.Its an incredible legacy to be honest, just the impact he has had on the game - not just in Ireland but throughout the world. Hes known as an iconic figure and a really fantastic leader. O'Connell: I've been very lucky Hes someone who has set a great example for young people. He has really natural leadership qualities and is a very selfless person. The team is very important to Paul OConnell.Hes not one for individual accolades, hes not one for the limelight, he just wants the team to do well.He just has this innate ability to drive people around him to play above themselves and achieve above their own standards. He gets the best out of people and its a real quality, not everyone has those kinds of qualities; to be able to push and drive and lead a group of people. The world of social media reacts to the news that Paul OConnell has retired His all-conquering personality on the field complemented a much more relaxed attitude off it, says Quinlan.He can put on the game face and does it really well, but hes great fun away from the field. Weve had great fun on tours and weve been on holidays together in groups.He loves a bit of fun, a bit of craic. Hes always up for a laugh and thats part of his personality as well, and thats what made him popular with players.He doesnt keep to himself, he likes to mix with people all the time, and hes intrigued by what everyone else does.Hes a great character, a really funny person who is very popular with anyone hes played with and against. OConnell makes his way down the tunnel with his son Paddy, 5, after his last home international match Quinlan and OConnell won two Heineken Cups with Munster in 2006 and 2008 and the former has expressed his desire to see the latter back at the province in a mentoring capacity.Id like to see him straight away go back in and get involved with Munster, he said.Hes someone who has so much to offer the game. Hes very intelligent and I know hes interested in business and trying to explore avenues around the business world as well, but hes just too good to be lost to rugby.He inspired people on the field when he was playing, and I think he can do the same in coaching or a managerial role. Also See: OConnell: Ive been very lucky OConnell announces retirement Farewell to a legend OConnell tributes Ray Bourque Jersey . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Brandon Carlo Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. http://www.cheapbruinsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-jake-debrusk-jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Brad Marchand Jersey . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Patrice Bergeron Jersey . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. Sebastian Vettel swapped his Ferrari SF16-H Formula One car for an ambulance as he took part in a unique driving challenge against the clock.Ahead of the German Grand Prix, the four-time world champion switched from his usual day job to reverse roles with an ambulance driver, going head-to-head in a promotional event for Ferrari sponsor Shell.While the ambulance driver got to live out many peoples dream and get to grips with a high performance Ferrari 488 GTB, Vettel tried his hand at tackkling an unfamiliar type of horsepower in the shape of a three-tonne ambulance.ddddddddddddhe pair each had a single lap in their respective rides to negotiate a makeshift track as quickly as possible and post a fastest lap.Perhaps unsurprisingly, 42-time grand prix winner Vettel came out on top, only by a full seven seconds...You can watch the full video here. ' ' '