Sport stars add degrees to glittering careers

They were caps with a difference for some of our most successful sportsmen and women — but no less significant.

Brian Cody’s black and bland Glanbia cap, for example, has become famous in the GAA — just how does it stay on his head in the heat of championship? And Aidan O’Brien, one of the greatest horse trainers of all time: We’ve all seen the euphoria when another winner of his enters the parade ring, but that top hat of his seems to defy gravity.

But yesterday, in the serene surrounds of UCC, it was a little less manic as O’Brien and Cody, along with Corkonians Ronan O’Gara, Mary O’Connor, and Denis Irwin, were awarded honorary doctorates from the university recognising their outstanding contributions to their respective sports.