PAUL O’CONNELL SPOKE of his immense pride after he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Limerick this afternoon.
The former Ireland captain, who is currently recovering from the hamstring injury which prematurely ended his World Cup, has had a long standing association with the university and has become an Honorary Doctor of Science.
He joins an esteemed list of honorary conferees and is the 100th person to receive the honour from University Limerick, alongside Declan Kidney, Mary Robinson and King Juan Carlos of Spain among others.
The 36-year-old was present at a ceremony on Thursday in-front of an audience which included Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, O’Connell’s former Munster team-mates, the Mayor of Limerick and his family – wife Emily, son Paddy and daughter Lola.
Best of luck to him, hope he gets his career back on track…. He could be a great asset and option for our young Irish team with his experience. Good move going to Bournemouth, they’re going well and will be in the mix for promotion.
@Jerriko17: hope he does well but has prob 10 good games in an otherwise mediocre career. Honesty he disappointed me cos I though he would come out good.
@Martin Glynn: he’s not impressed with Marty Glynn either I’ve heard!
@Jerriko17: all good, but he has to make the team, sitting on the bench no good.
Don’t see him as first choice for Ireland at this stage,but he adds a bit of experience to the squad and offers a decent option wide on the left of midfield
@Lesidees: where did it all go wrong for him?
@Ciaran O’Mara: injuries and a negative style of play at Burnley. Hopefully he can kick on from here for a few more years.
Last chance saloon.
At 29yrs of age he should be playing his best football now, up to him what he makes of this chance. Never fulfilled his potential.
Strikes me as someone who lives on few past glories.. Little desire to push on and create new glories and better himself as a player. Very injury prone too, which isn’t his fault of course to be fair
@Nigel o’Neill: could not agree more. Does not get involved in the game . A bit similar to Hourihane
Too late for him.
There is reason nobody wanted to sign him
Great to see