Big Paul in dash for cash with new red ’tache
HE is a rugby legend held in such high regard by fans of the sport that one joke about him goes that Superman wears Paul O’Connell pyjamas to bed.
However, it appears former Irish i nternational and Munster star O’Connell has finally found one thing at which he’s not world class.
The giant Limerick man is growing out a moustache to support men’s physical and mental health – and even he has admitted that he’s unimpressed with the results.
The 41-year-old said yesterday he was participating for the first time in Movember, whereby men let their moustaches grow out while asking for donations for good causes.
The money from Movember fundraisers is given to men’s health projects including suicide, prostate and testicular cancer charities.
O’Connell joins a community of 6.6million Mo Bros and had last night raised € 235 of his €1,000 target for the cause.
He said on Instagram: ‘I am late to the game with Movember. I have never done it before and from the evidence above there is no harm in that. ‘Movember has historically been associated with men’s physical health but also in more recent times with mental health. In what has been a tricky and difficult year for everyone I would encourage anyone suffering to reach out and talk to someone.’
He said the inspiration to grow out his bright ginger moustache came from an interview with comedian Rory O’Connor, whose new book tells of his struggles with gambling addiction and suicidal thoughts. O’Connell said: ‘The right conversation can make all the difference.’
The rugby hero also embraced the humour of Movember, joking that his children have only just noticed his moustache because of its slow growth.