Our tribute to some of the best doctors to play sport

Rugby and GAA dominate but there are some notable swimmers and boxers listed.

DOCTOR JAMIE ROBERTS graduated from Cardiff University to officially join the ranks of sportsmen in the medical profession.

The British and Irish Lions star may not get too much of a chance to practice medicine over the coming years as he will be busy with club [Racing Metro] and country [Wales]. Roberts, however, is keen to continue his studies and enter the profession when he eventually retires.

With Roberts’ recent graduation in mind, TheScore.ie is paying tribute, in no particular order, to the best sporting doctors out there.

Socrates – Soccer (Fiorentina, UCD & Brazil)

‘Dr Socrates’, the attacking midfielder, earned a doctor of medicine and earned his degree while playing professional football. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

Jim Donovan – Limerick Football

The 6′ 4″ veteran of the Treaty County footballers missed out on their Division 4 Final win as he was studying for his Masters in Dublin.(©INPHO/Cathal Noonan)

Felipe Contepomi – Rugby (Leinster, Argentina, Stade Francais)

The outhalf, who gained legendary status at Leinster, earned two medical degrees from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

Eanna Falvey – Boxing

The former National Intermediate Heavyweight champion is team doctor for the Irish rugby side and. He is pictured here with Conor Murray and Daniel ’007′ Craig after the Lions beat Australia. Falvey was on the Lions medical staff. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Stephen Lucey – Limerick Football & Hurling

The dual-star from Croom won two Hurling All Irelands and played in four Munster SFC finals. (©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)

Gary O’Toole – Swimming (Ireland)

O’Toole won a 200m breaststroke silver at the European Championships in 1989. He represented Ireland at the 1988 and ’92 Olympics. (© INPHO)

JPR Williams – Rugby (Wales & Lions)

Williams was multi-talented and played tennis at a high level. He played fullback for the Lions on winning tours in 1971 and ’74. (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Gerry McEntee – Meath Football

Five Leinster titles and two All -Ireland SFC’s for the former Meath midfielder. (©INPHO)

Pat O’Callaghan – Hammer Throw (Olympics)

The legendary Co. Cork athlete won Olympic Gold in 1928 and 1932. He set up his own practice in Tipperary in 1928. (EMPICS Sport)

Rodrigo Roncero – Rugby (Argentina & Stade Francais)

The Argentine offers Ronan O’Gara a helping hand in 2007… after barging him over. (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

Ciaran McDonald – Tipperary Football

Jack Kyle – Rugby (Ireland & Lions)

Jannie du Plessis – Rugby (Sharks & South Africa)

The Springbok was told he was in his country’s World Cup squad in 2007 shortly after finishing a nightshift at Blomfontein hospital. (©INPHO/James Crombie)

Pat O’Neill – Dublin Football

The sports injuries consultant (left) won All-Ireland SFC’s with The Dubs in 1976 and ’77 and coached the footballers to more success in 1995. (©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)

Other sporting doctors of note, with thanks to our readers, include Pádraig Carney (Mayo), Ian Robertson (Dublin), Noel McCaffrey (Dublin) and David Hickey (Dublin).

*Are there any sporting doctors that we have missed?