Ronan O’Gara is a role model for this generation

RONAN O’GARA was granted the Freedom of Cork, a signal honour that dates from the 14th century. 

He joins a roll-call of luminaries that have included Dean Swift, Charles Stewart Parnell and US President John F Kennedy. He also joins sports stars such as Sonia O’Sullivan, Roy Keane and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, among the finest the city has to offer.

O’Gara is blessed with not just a prodigious talent but also an engaging personality and a youthful countenance. He celebrated his 40th birthday in March but looks at least five years younger.