Sporting heroes feted with honorary doctorates

It isn’t very often you get to see Brian Cody sporting the Cork colours but he did so with pride yesterday when he was one of five sporting heroes honoured by University College Cork.

The Kilkenny manager — and bane of Cork hurling fans — who steered his team to eight All-Ireland titles, was first among equals to receive an honorary doctorate for his enormous contribution to the sport.

He looked remarkably at home in the “enemy” camp as he was feted, along with Denis Irwin, Ronan O’Gara, Aidan O’Brien and Mary O’Connor. The honours, presided over by UCC President, Michael Murphy, were made to mark the centenary of sport at the university.

The red and white gown worn by all recipients had a more familiar hue for both the former Manchester United player and the Munster rugby star. Two of Ireland’s most capped sportsmen, O’Gara and Irwin can now add another cap to their collection as a crowning achievement.

“It’s a big day,” admitted O’Gara, who has seen his fair share of big days on the rugby pitch. He recalled his student days at UCC, where his father, Fergal, was Professor of Microbiology.

“You always set out to make your parents proud and it is great to be recognised by such a prestigious college like UCC. It doesn’t seem that long ago but it was 10 years since I was a student here. Mind you, I wasn’t always as well dressed then as I am today.”

Introducing O’Gara, Donal Linehan described him as the outstanding figure in Munster rugby who never forgot where he came from — and by that he didn’t mean O’Gara’s birthplace, San Diego.

Clutching a message of congratulations from Alex Fergus, Denis Irwin, the boy from Togher, said sport meant everything to him as a youngster and GAA players like Jimmy Barry Murphy remain his heroes.

Also receiving an honorary doctorate was Mary O’Connor from Killeagh. The dual Cork camogie and ladies football player has 12 All-Ireland medals to her credit. The hallowed halls of UCC rocked with laughter as she recalled all the windows she broke as a youngster with a sliothar on the family farm.

Aidan O’Brien, legendary horse trainer and the quiet man of Irish sport, was honoured for his work in guiding famous names first over the finishing line.

“He eats, sleeps and breathes horseracing,” said Tracy Pigott, who knows a thing or two about the sport herself.