Sporting icons - Cork right to honour its heroes

BOTH as outstanding athletes and as citizens, Sonia O'Sullivan and Roy Keane are fully deserving of the Freedom of the City of Cork.

It would be churlish to raise the sometimes turbulent past of Manchester United's inspirational captain.

In every sense, his good qualities far outweigh other ways, especially his selfless work on behalf of disabled children, his altruistic efforts to promote guide dogs for the blind, and his contributions to many other charities.

Equally, for Sonia O'Sullivan there could not be a better accolade. As the country's most successful athlete, she has pursued the highest standards.

In an era of performance enhancing drugs, she has set a fine example for young Irish contenders to emulate.

To feature in an honours list that also includes the likes of Charles Stewart Parnell and John F Kennedy is high praise indeed.