David Humphreys,Ireland's record-breaking fly-half received the perfect pick-me-up from his team's World Cup exit when he was told he was to receive an MBE in the New Year Honours.
The 32-year-old Ulsterman, who is about to embark on his eighth Six Nations campaign, is the most prolific scorer in Irish history with 499 points and is poised to become his country's most capped international.
The 60-cap Humphreys needs only four more appearances to overtake legendary duo Fergus Slattery and Willie-John McBride and move into second place in the all-time list behind former Lions centre Mike Gibson, who holds the record with 69 caps, yet the honour came as a bombshell.
``My reaction was one of complete and utter surprise and amazement,'' he said. ``In some ways it came at a good time, just after we had been knocked out of the World Cup.
``I'd never had an indication that it was going to happen. When you play sport, it's really the last thing you'd ever consider.''
Humphreys qualified as a solicitor in his native Belfast just before rugby went professional in 1995 and decided to put his legal career on hold by taking up an offer to play with London Irish.
He returned to Belfast to play his rugby with Dungannon in 1998 and played a key role in Ulster's European Cup triumph that season before claiming a regular place in the Ireland team.
``I consider myself to be very lucky, doing something for a long time that I would have done as a hobby,'' he said.
``I've had no pressure on me, no worry about what's going to happen when I finish. I know I've got a job when the rugby ends and, because of that, I've been able to really enjoy it.
Humphreys made his international debut against France in February 1996 and looked set for a long run in the number 10 jersey after finally ousting long-time rival Eric Elwood, only to find himself embroiled in a fierce competition with young upstart Ronan O'Gara.
The pair will go head to head once more in the 2004 Six Nations, with their European Cup performances for their provinces likely to determine the starting role.
Humphreys gave another demonstration of his prolific scoring ability with a man-of-the-match display in Ulster's recent 27-21 win over Edinburgh in the inaugural Celtic Cup final at Murrayfield.
received the perfect pick-me-up from his team's World Cup exit when he was told he was to receive an MBE in the New Year Honours.
The 32-year-old Ulsterman, who is about to embark on his eighth Six Nations campaign, is the most prolific scorer in Irish history with 499 points and is poised to become his country's most capped international.
The 60-cap Humphreys needs only four more appearances to overtake legendary duo Fergus Slattery and Willie-John McBride and move into second place in the all-time list behind former Lions centre Mike Gibson, who holds the record with 69 caps, yet the honour came as a bombshell.
``My reaction was one of complete and utter surprise and amazement,'' he said. ``In some ways it came at a good time, just after we had been knocked out of the World Cup.
``I'd never had an indication that it was going to happen. When you play sport, it's really the last thing you'd ever consider.''
Humphreys qualified as a solicitor in his native Belfast just before rugby went professional in 1995 and decided to put his legal career on hold by taking up an offer to play with London Irish.
He returned to Belfast to play his rugby with Dungannon in 1998 and played a key role in Ulster's European Cup triumph that season before claiming a regular place in the Ireland team.
``I consider myself to be very lucky, doing something for a long time that I would have done as a hobby,'' he said.
``I've had no pressure on me, no worry about what's going to happen when I finish. I know I've got a job when the rugby ends and, because of that, I've been able to really enjoy it.
Humphreys made his international debut against France in February 1996 and looked set for a long run in the number 10 jersey after finally ousting long-time rival Eric Elwood, only to find himself embroiled in a fierce competition with young upstart Ronan O'Gara.
The pair will go head to head once more in the 2004 Six Nations, with their European Cup performances for their provinces likely to determine the starting role.
Humphreys gave another demonstration of his prolific scoring ability with a man-of-the-match display in Ulster's recent 27-21 win over Edinburgh in the inaugural Celtic Cup final at Murrayfield.