Heroes’ homecoming as Sonia and Roy get Freedom of Cork

IF only all council meetings were like this. Roy Keane and Sonia O’Sullivan were hailed by their own at a lavish ceremony in Cork City Hall yesterday afternoon and for once there wasn’t a dissenting voice to be heard.

Sonia was first to arrive for the joint conferral of the Freedom of the City. When she stepped out of the black Mercedes she was greeted with spontaneous applause from those gathered outside City Hall. Accompanied by her partner Nic Bideau, she looked thrilled and a little shy about it all. That's our Sonia.

In her acceptance speech she thanked the people of Cork for their "continuing support, for their loyalty and for their affection over the years", through good times and bad.