Never a man to rest on his laurels, O'Connell can now afford to reflect on a career that brought the teams around him so much success - whether he was playing in red or green.
"I have been blessed to be a professional rugby player for over 14 years and to be part of Munster and Ireland teams that have experienced success," said O'Connell. "I have played with some of the best players to ever line out in the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and have had the privilege of captaining my country.
"I would like to thank those at Young Munster RFC, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and Lions Rugby who have supported me over the course of my playing career."
Below, we take a look at some of the finest moments O'Connell had in a Munster jersey.
A star is born
It seems as if O'Connell has been around forever, but he made his debut back in August 2001 at the age of 21.
In a team starring the likes of Alan Quinlan and current Munster coach Anthony Foley, O'Connell came on as a replacement as Munster pipped Edinburgh 25-22 at Myreside.
He did not take long to make an impression, appearing for Ireland A in the same year and going on to make a further six appearances in the league.
A King of Europe
Five years later, O'Connell's star status would be confirmed after the lock was shortlisted for the 2006 IRB player of the year - and it was also quite a campaign on the domestic front too.
After losing to Leicester Tigers in his first taste of a European final in 2002, O'Connell was crucial to the team that broke their continental duck four years later.
He scored a try in the quarter-final against Perpignan before helping lead Munster to a famous 30-6 victory over Leinster in the semis.
And the side's legend was secured when they hung on at the Millennium Stadium to defeat Biarritz and lift the fabled silverware.
Munster end Leinster's hopes of a double
O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan celebrate their success in 2011
Munster won the GUINNESS PRO12 three times during O'Connell's career, but it was undoubtedly the 2011 victory over Leinster that players and fans alike savour the most.
The ferocity of Munster's O'Connell-inspired forwards simply had too much for their rivals, and that was underlined in the second half as a penalty try set them on their way to a 19-9 victory.
His involvement was initially cast in doubt after injuring his ankle ligaments - ironically against Leinster - at the start of April.
But he timed his comeback to perfection, earning man-of-the-match in the semi-finals against Ospreys before leading his men over the final hurdle.
O'Connell's finest performance?
If there was ever a performance that encapsulated the ability of any sportsman, it was O'Connell's sheer heroism against Harlequins.
The campaign did not end in a European trophy for Munster, but it speaks of just how good O'Connell was at the Stoop on Sunday 7 April 2013, that his display is spoken about in awe.
For 80 minutes O'Connell was a red menace, overwhelming a Harlequins side - that included England captain Chris Robshaw - at both the breakdown and the lineout.
If anyone needed reminding, it proved that at the age of 33 there was plenty of life in the old lock yet.
Last appearance at Thomond Park
Though it was not yet confirmed, rumours had been swirling for some time that the 2014/15 GUINNESS PRO12 semi-final against Ospreys could well be O'Connell's last appearance for Munster at Thomond Park.
He wrote the most fitting send-off he could have hoped for as Munster clung on - with Josh Matavesi's last-minute try having been ruled out - 21-18 to reach the GUINNESS PRO12 final.
O'Connell led the chorus in the changing room after the match and, though the season did not end with silverware, his spirit at Munster will certainly live on through those words.
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