City honours rugby star to mark 100th Irish cap

ONE of the greatest rugby players of his generation was honoured by his home city last night.

Ireland and Munster rugby legend Ronan O’Gara, 33, one of the highest scoring players in the history of the game, was accorded a civic reception in Cork’s City Hall.

Lord Mayor Cllr Michael O’Connell honoured O’Gara to mark his 100th cap for Ireland last November.

Mr O’Connell said his consistent level of performance over the years makes him one of the most talented players this country has ever produced.

“Calm under pressure, he is one of the world’s greatest tactical kickers and has achieved a level of consistency in his goal kicking that is the envy of his opponents,” he said.

“As the vital pivot between forwards and backs, Ronan has been instrumental in the development of Ireland’s sparkling back line play over the last decade.

“But what makes Ronan stand apart from his peers is not just his play-making ability.

“His excellent reading of the game means that he can just as easily kick for the corner to help his forwards, or spin the ball wide to unleash strike runners.”

A relaxed O’Gara, who was accompanied by his wife Jessica, and their three children — two-and-a-half- year-old twins Rua and Molly, and 10-month-old JJ — told a packed Millennium Hall that he had completely underestimated the honour which was bestowed on him.

“I am very proud to accept this. Every time I play, I play for Cork and I think there is no better award than to get one from your own people. It means so much to me,” he said.

He thanked his school friends, his club and teammates, coaches who inspired him from underage level, and all those who have helped him during his career, but he singled out his parents, Joan and Fergal.

“Without them, it wouldn’t be the story it is — it’s been an emotional roller coaster, a rocky road, up and downs, but that’s what you get at this level,” he said.

He thanked his Munster and Ireland teammates, without whom he said he wouldn’t have won his 100 caps.

But he also mentioned his grandmother, Linda O’Gara, who died last week, aged 92.

“Tonight is a happy occasion but it’s just a pity she isn’t here,” he said.

Among the guests were rugby stars Tomás O’Leary, Donncha O’Callaghan, Doug Howlett, Mick O’Driscoll, Denis Leamy, and former greats Donal Lenihan and Mick Galwey,

O’Gara began his playing career with Presentation Brothers College in Cork, winning a Munster Senior Cup in 1995.

A short playing career with UCC followed, before he began playing with Cork Constitution and Munster.

The San Diego-born fly-half won his first international cap, playing for the Irish Under 21s against Scotland, in 1997.

He made his senior international debut against Scotland in 1999, scoring all of Ireland’s points in their 18-9 win.

He went on to score more than 80 points during that Six Nations campaign.

In his career, he has scored more points than any other Munster player, and he holds the record for the highest number of points scored in both the Heineken Cup and the RBS Six Nations.

With 1,006 points, he is the fifth highest scorer in the history of international rugby — just behind Diego Domínguez (1,010), Neil Jenkins (1,090), Dan Carter, (1,188) and Jonny Wilkinson (1,195).

Last November, he followed Brian O’Driscoll and John Hayes to become the third Irish rugby player to win 100 caps — joining an elite club of just 16 players worldwide.

He has scored several significant dropped goals for Ireland, including the famous one in the 78th minute of the Wales versus Ireland match in the 2009 Six Nations Championship which won Ireland its first Grand Slam in 60 years.

He also toured with the Lions to Australia in 2001, to New Zealand in 2005, and to South Africa in 2009, scoring 22 points including a try in the opening match of that tour.

His career wins include one Celtic Cup, one Magner’s League winner’s medal, two Heineken Cup winner’s medals, three Triple Crowns and last year’s Grand Slam.