Injured Zebo still scores award

He may be grounded by injury but it hasn’t stopped Irish rugby’s new flying winger from bagging an award.

Simon Zebo, whose dazzling foot-flick during Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Wales set the rugby world alight, has been named Cork Person of the Month for February.

Award organisers said they chose Zebo to mark his glittering rugby career over the years and the excitement he has brought to the sport in more recent times.

“I’m over the moon. It’s great to be nominated,” Simon said yesterday. “It’s a great honour for myself and my family.”

He was presented with the award at his home in Ballintemple, where he is recovering from a broken bone in his right foot, sustained just 10 minutes into Ireland’s test against England just over a week ago, which has put him out of action for up to 10 weeks.

He has undergone surgery to repair the damage and attended physical therapy yesterday and said his recovery from injury is progressing well.

“February certainly created highs and lows for Simon, from the foot flick to his injury, awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said.

“His exciting style and athleticism has captured the imagination of sports lovers throughout the world in a relatively short time.

“He has a natural individual talent that leaves both opponents and spectators wondering, ‘what is he going to do next?’

“He has certainly brought a new excitement to rugby, and is expected to be one of the great iconic players for Munster and Ireland in the years ahead.”

Zebo has 45 caps for Munster, scoring 100 points including two Heineken Cup hat-tricks.

He made his Irish debut against the All Blacks last summer and his first appearance in a Six Nations game this month.

He inherited his speed from his father Arthur, a Martinique-born French 800m runner, who qualified for the French team at the 1976 Olympics.

Arthur met his Cork-born wife Lynda in Paris, and they moved back to Cork to raise their family — Simon and his sister Jessika, who has represented Ireland in athletics as a hurdler.

Zebo played hurling with Blackrock, gaelic football with St Michael’s, and soccer with Avondale United.

He played rugby with Presentation College in Cork, where Declan Kidney taught, before moving on to Cork Constitution, and last month he signed a new contract with Munster that will keep him at Thomond Park until the end of the 2015-16 season.

Zebo’s name now goes forward with the other monthly award winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year, which will be announced next January.

The gala awards lunch will mark the 21st year of the awards.