O’Gara & Stringer Honoured

In recognising sporting excellence and celebrating the rugby achievements of two of Cork’s greatest stars both Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stinger were presented with commissioned statues this week at an event hosted by Dr Paul McCarthy.

Dr Paul McCarthy and wife Pauline hosted an honorary event at their home in Currabinny, Cork this week to present Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer with the commissioned statues, created by sculptor Mark Rode. Replica statues were also presented to Munster Rugby on the night with CEO Garrett Fitzgerald accepting the statues on behalf of the province.

Both O’Gara and Stringer, who reside in Paris and Bath respectively, attended the event with their families while Munster Rugby were also represented by Munster Branch President Mick Goggin and Vice President Bertie Smith.

Since 2005 Dr Paul McCarthy has presented the John McCarthy Award for Munster Rugby Academy Player of the Season on behalf of the McCarthy family who established the award in memory of the late Count Dr. John McCarthy who played for Munster.

On this occasion, Dr McCarthy, working with Pauline, Roger Flack and Nicky Comyn, wished to honour Munster’s Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer following on from an initial concept which was initiated over two years ago.

Speaking about the event Dr Paul McCarthy said, "The four of us, Pauline, Roger, Nick and myself wanted to put a statue in the centre of Cork to celebrate and commemorate Cork men, past, present and future, who had and who would play for Munster.

"When we discussed it in greater detail we thought of capturing action shots of two Munster players and we decided on Peter and Ronan because they really have every possible quality you would want in an ideal Munster player and we think they are fabulous characters. But they are only representing all other Cork men, including my father, who played for Munster and they are standing for everyone who has worn the jersey and will wear the jersey.

"When the project for the city didn’t go to fruition we didn’t want it to die so we asked the sculptor to make small models, a foot and a half high of Ronan and Peter, to give both to Munster Rugby and to the players themselves. For Munster Rugby so that our idea is not lost, and for Ronan and Peter to celebrate and commemorate everything they have done for Munster and the huge appreciation for what they have given us.”

Former Munster Branch President Nicky Comyn presents the statue to Ronan O’Gara.

Roger Flack presents the statue to Peter Stringer.

Pauline McCarthy presents replica statues to Garrett Fitzgerald.

Dr Paul McCarthy with Peter Stringer and Ronan O’Gara.