O’Gara auction delights help kick-start testimonial dinner

So what is it like to have your technique scrutinised by kicking kings Ronan O’Gara and Jonny Sexton?

Or be invited into the inner sanctum of Willie Mullins’ stable operation?

Would you prefer to experience the privileged seats at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge for a top-six Premier League game, or shoot the breeze over an intimate fourball at the K Club or the Old Head with Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, and O’Gara? Get cooking tips from Rachel Allen at Ballymaloe or see One Direction at Croke Park — preferred seating, of course.

Ronan O’Gara’s testimonial dinner at Cork’s City Hall next Thursday may be an 800-guest sell-out but the excitement around the rugby legend’s hometown thank you event will fan out today as an array of special auction delights goes live for bidding online.

Members of the public looking for that money-can’t-buy gift or unique experience are invited to drool over the delicious smorgasbord of auction items on morganodriscoll.com.

The items are also available to view on O’Gara’s own testimonial website rogtestimonial.com.

Hundreds of guests, including many of the country’s sporting icons, will have the opportunity to bid once the public auction closes before the City Hall event next Thursday. However, in advance of that, anyone interested can do so.

The auction offers include:

* A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a dedicated coaching session with O’Gara and Sexton at Racing Metro training complex at Le Plessis-Robinson in Paris. Prize includes flights, accommodation, and coaching for two children (accompanied by two adults);

* Enjoy a two-and-a-half day cookery course with two nights’ bed and breakfast in the Ballymaloe Cookery School and dinner at the renowned Ballymaloe House;

* Two VIP tickets to Ronan O’Gara’s London testimonial dinner next February. The event will be hosted by The X Factor’s Dermot O’Leary. Also included are two tickets to the Six Nations clash between England and Ireland at Twickenham, and three nights’ accommodation at the Hilton Park Lane.

* Two match tickets, including corporate hospitality, to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea against top-six Premier League opposition. Flights and accommodation included and two tickets to a West End Show;

* Two tickets to Old Trafford to see Man United’s derby against Manchester City. Corporate hospitality, flights and accommodation plus an unique framed United jersey, signed by Alex Ferguson;

* A unique opportunity of a coaching session at Fota Island Training Academy with O’Gara, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo, Donncha O’Callaghan, and Peter O’Mahony. Ten slots for two juveniles are available;

* A day out on Jan 24, 2014, for four people to tour the stables of trainer Willie Mullins, then go racing to the Goffs Thyestes Chase, sample Gowran Park’s Rooftop Restaurant Package, accommodation at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny;

* A fourball with O’Gara and Paul O’Connell at the world-renowned Old Head of Kinsale.

Ronan O'Gara's testimonial dinner set for October 24th in Cork City Hall. For more info go to http://t.co/Flw7fWguZ9

— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) July 22, 2013