Last year, Ronan O'Gara was one of the four athletes voted on Cork's Mount Rushmore, on this here website. He earned the rugby nod with a landslide 75% of the vote.
Today, Ronan O'Gara has been bestowed an honour almost on that level: he's been given the freedom of Cork City.
We're not entirely sure of what practical benefits there are to gaining the freedom of Cork - perhaps he can lead a flock of sheep through the city without being stopped - but it is a hell of an honour for ROG, but one he certainly deserves.
Great news. Cork Mayor @CllrDesCahil has pushed through a proposal to give Ronan O'Gara the freedom of the city. Well deserved.
— Ken Reid (@bigkenreid) February 13, 2017
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Des Cahill pushed through the motion at the Cork City Council yesterday.
Delighted to announce that my fellow @corkcitycouncil councillors have accepted my proposal to confer the freedom of #Cork on @RonanOGara10 pic.twitter.com/1twt6gfQ1z
— Des Cahill (@CllrDesCahil) February 13, 2017
O'Gara has always been extremely proud of his Cork heritage, and he tweeted that he was "humbled and honoured":
Thanks to the people of Cork who have always backed me. Proud of where I come from. Very humbled and honoured. ⚪️🔴⚪️🔴🇮🇪.
— Ronan O Gara (@RonanOGara10) February 13, 2017
O'Gara joins a pretty impressive list of people who have received the same honour. Those names include Presidents Michael D. Higgins, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson along with Sonia O'Sullivan, Sean Og O hAilpín, JFK, John Hume, Eamon de Valera....and Michael Flately.
Congrats, ROG.
