Is there a doctor in the house? Pat Lam conferred

Ever since Pat Lam was conferred with an honorary doctorate from NUI Galway on Monday, friends have been texting ‘Dr Pat’ with their ailments, asking what they should do.

His stock response? “Take some paracetamol!”

Speaking at the Sportsground, two days after the conferring ceremony at the Quadrangle, the Connacht head coach was still overwhelmed by the honour.

“It was a very humbling experience. And very unexpected. It was a big honour, mainly for my family. I received it on behalf of the West of Ireland,” he said.

Lam, a New Zealand-born Samoan, led Connacht to the province’s first silverware in 131 years when winning the Pro 12 last season, after beating Leinster in the final at Edinburgh.

He was recognised for that remarkable feat, and for having “significantly enriched the club and the wider community”.

“The doctorate for me represents my time in the West of Ireland. Of course the team, but more than that, right throughout the county and all the people and the experiences that I’ve had here, and continue to have here. Again, I didn’t need it, didn’t expect it, but I was honoured to receive it,” said Lam.

Five players from Connacht Rugby were among the 2,500 students who graduated at NUIG during the week. Lam said he was “very pleased and proud” of graduates Jack Dinneen (BComm), Conor Finn (BA), Eoghan Masterson (BA), Saba Meunargia (BA), and Danny Qualter (BA).

Lam was shocked and saddened at the sudden death of his good friend, Munster legend Anthony Foley, whose funeral he attended Thursday before jetting off to Parma for Sunday’s Champions Cup game against Zebre.

For more on this story, and a preview of Connacht’s game against Zebre, see this week’s Galway City Tribune