O’Gara links up with firm to promote silverware

RUGBY ace Ronan O’Gara has bagged his first silverware of the season — but he will be wearing it on his wrist.

Forget the Triple Crown and the Heineken cup — the Irish and Munster out-half has thrown his weight behind Newbridge silverware.

By joining the campaign he is following in the footsteps of a former Miss World, a former Miss Ireland and a Miss Samantha Mumba.

But O’Gara said the move into jewellery does not mean he has turned into the oval ball’s answer to David Beckham.

“Ah, I am just doing the gents’ collection. The cufflinks and watches. There is one bracelet in the collection that has healing qualities, but that is about it.”

In 2004, Miss World Rosanna Davison was unveiled as the face of Newbridge Jewellery. However, the special bracelet O’Gara is promoting does not contain the healing powers her singer-father Chris de Burgh claims to possess.

Newbridge marketing manager Phil Donnelly said the bracelet has been designed along the lines of the copper wrist bands that have traditionally helped arthritis sufferers.

“The metal itself has healing qualities which give you energy and keep you calm and peaceful..”

O’Gara’s other high-profile ad campaign was for a popular sports drink but he says it is not the prospect of a similarly potent energy product that has attracted him to the Kildare company.

“It is a successful Irish company and a good Irish brand and that is important for me. When I allow people to use my image I like it to be that kind of product.

“After most matches, we would have black tie balls and that, so I would wear cufflinks anyway.”