‘Dr Paul’ O’Connell lines out for honorary doctorate at UL

He may give the orders on the rugby pitch but Paul O'Connell insists team-mates will not have to call him 'Dr Paul' following his conferring with an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Limerick.

The 36-year-old former Ireland rugby captain, is the 100th person to be conferred with the title; joining the ranks of King Juan Carlos of Spain, former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Jack Charlton and former Irish presidents Patrick Hillery and Mary Robinson.

Though delighted and “blown away” by his new title ‘Dr Paul’ became a bit bashful when speaking about his new moniker.

"I won't be demanding that they call Dr Paul. That's the question everyone keeps asking me, but I think everyone is delighted with the honour. That's what (former conferee) Declan Kidney said to me, it's only when the day comes around and its immediate aftermath that you realise how big an honour it is."

Ireland rugby coach Joe Schmidt along with former Munster team-mates Doug Howlett, Marcus Horan, David Wallace, were among the line up of 1,000 guests invited to the ceremony at University Concert Hall Limerick.

"I am delighted but a little embarrassed," said O'Connell, who recalled how the University of Limerick and its campus played an important role in his childhood in Limerick.

“I think from the age of four or five I have been training here as a swimmer and I think I have used absolutely every facility on the campus in a sporting sense before I ever came here as a student, and that’s probably one of the best things about UL if you grow up in Limerick.

“UL ends up being every Limerick boys playground,” he continued recalling how he had his first fishing lesson on the river Shannon that flows through the campus.

The injured rugby star, who was accompanied by his wife Emily and their children Paddy (5) and Lola (1) said he never imagined during his early college days in UL, that he would end up returning some day to receive an honorary doctorate.

“It’s a big regret of mine that I didn’t finish my degree. I have three years of a computer engineering degree done. So many of the boys on the team now are studying, they are all either finishing degrees or doing Masters and they would embarrass you.”

“I have plenty of excuses with having two kids and having a senior role on the Irish team and Munster team but I have come in and spoken to the University plenty of times about the idea of coming back and doing various things.

“I have probably about 18 months left of playing rugby and I will be taking a little it of time out after that and who knows I could end up back here as as student again.”