Ronan O’Gara: ‘Cork people picked me up off my knees’

Rugby legend Ronan O’Gara paid an emotional tribute to the people of Cork as he was conferred with the freedom of the city he said he loves.

The former Munster and Irish number 10, who held the record for the most Irish caps when he retired from playing the game four years ago, and who still holds the Heineken Cup points record, said the people of the city where he grew up supported him during some of the toughest times of his career.

His recalled the “many dark nights” after Ireland’s poor performance in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.