Seán Óg to be made freeman of home city

HURLING legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín is to be made a freeman of his home city.

Cork Lord Mayor Michael O’Connell announced his decision to confer the honour on the former Cork senior hurler, who captained the county to an All-Ireland title in 2005, at a meeting of the city council last night.

Mr O’Connell said he wants to honour the 33-year-old, who was born on the island of Rotuma, north of the main Fiji Islands, and who moved to Cork in 1988, to mark his immense contribution to sport, both locally and nationally. He also paid tribute to Ó hAilpín’s contribution to Irish culture and the Irish language.

The ceremony is expected to take place around May 27 after which Ó hAilpín will join the ranks of US presidents John F Kennedy and Woodrow Wilson, President Mary McAleese, former British prime minister John Major, former taoiseach Albert Reynolds, former tánaiste Peter Barry, Michael Flatley, Roy Keane and Sonia O’Sullivan as a freeman of the city.

Ó hAilpín’s illustrious 15-year senior inter-county career came to an abrupt end last October. It followed Cork’s defeat to Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland final which prompted speculation about the resignations of several senior Cork players.

However, Ó hÁilpín said he could play on for about another two years.

But it emerged in October that Cork manager Denis Walsh told Ó hAilpín during a meeting that he was no longer in his plans.

Ó hAilpín confirmed on October 18 last that his inter-county career was over.

In a statement issued by the GaelicPlayers’ Association, he said: “I would love to continue to play for Cork but I must respect the manager’s decision in this regard.”

Ó hAilpín, who still plays his club hurling with Na Piarsaigh, was one of the most respected and committed players of his generation.

He was named Vodafone Hurler of the Year, the GPA Hurler of the Year and Texaco Hurler of the Year in 2004.

He captained the Cork senior hurlers to All-Ireland glory in 2005.

He also played hurling and football with Munster in the Railway Cup competitions.

He played International Rules Football in 2004 and 2005, and became the first man who played that code to be called up to play the Hurling/Shinty Compromise International Rules competition in 2008.

Meanwhile, Mr O’Connell will host a civic reception next week for Ireland and Munster rugby star Ronan O’Gara.

The reception, which will take place on Wednesday, May 4, will be held to mark O’Gara achieving his 100th Irish cap milestone last November.

He is also the highest point scorer for both Munster and Ireland.