Sporting heroes celebrated on memorable day in AIT

There was celebration, laughter and even a few tears during a recent Athlone IT ceremony where four of Ireland's sporting heroes were honoured for their inspirational achievements. At the event on Friday last, the Distinguished Fellowship - the highest honour the Institute can bestow - was conferred upon Ballinahown's world paracycling champion Mark Rohan; former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan; and former athletics stars Eamonn Coghlan and Sonia O'Sullivan. Friends and close family members of the Distinguished Fellows, including each of their mothers, were in attendance for a ceremony imbued with emotion. Eamonn Coghlan had a lump in this throat when he mentioned his 90-year-old mother in the audience, and Barry McGuigan was tearful after his citation from former Head of the School of Business at AIT, John Cusack. His voice cracking, Barry said: "My friendship with John goes back a long way... for him to read out such an eloquent and wonderful citation of praise for me is very special and I don't know that I'm worth it. I apologise for being so emotional." Gordon Brett, Sports and Recreation Manager at AIT, delivered the citation for Eamonn Coghlan. He recalled the Dublin native's career, including the "technically perfect race" which yielded a gold medal at the 1983 World Athletics Championships, and his achievement in becoming the first man over 40 to run a sub-four minute mile. Eamonn was "highly honoured" to accept the Distinguished Fellowship, and paid tribute to all who had helped him throughout his life. "Little did I know, growing up in Drimnagh, that the journey I have enjoyed in these 59 years on earth would be recognised in such a distinguished way here in Athlone today," he said. He was made a member of the Seanad by Taoiseach Enda Kenny last year and his focus is now on tackling the issue of childhood obesity in Ireland. The citation for Barry McGuigan mentioned that it was 27 years, to the day, since he dethroned the long-reigning featherweight champion of the world, Eusebio Pedroza. It was stated that: "Barry carried the mantle of world champion with an easy, natural grace, proving that in sport, as in life, it is not the title which honours the holder but the other way around." Barry felt it was "truly an honour to be here in such exalted company: Eamonn Coghlan, Sonia O'Sullivan and Mark Rohan. What incredible athletes. What incredible people." Referring to Mark Rohan, he said: "This young man is going to be taking part in the Olympics in a couple of months' time and he epitomises the very essence of the fighting Irish." He talked about the "wonderful" night when he won the world title in London in 1985, but recalled that amid the post-fight celebrations his mother's house in Clones burned down. "She used to light a holy candle for me. It helped me win the world title but then it burned the bloody house down!" he quipped, to much amusement. Barry strove to promote peace and understanding during the Troubles in Northern Ireland and this vital contribution was officially acknowledged when he was conferred with a United Nations 'Inspiration for Peace' award in 2010. He also spoke last week about the importance of integrated education in healing scars left behind by the conflict. "If kids can come to school and bring their GAA top, sliothar or camogie stick, or bring in their bowler hat and sash, and celebrate it in the classroom that is truly how they will learn to have respect for one another and properly appreciate one another." He concluded by quoting the writer Ernest Hemingway who once said: "Boxing is the most honest conversation that two men can have with each other." AIT lecturer Dr Chris McDermott gave the citation for Ireland's most accomplished sportswoman, Sonia O'Sullivan. He reflected on glittering achievements such as her gold at the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg in 1995 and silver at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. "Notwithstanding her monumental achievements, Sonia has always countered the trends of arrogance which often pervade the higher echelons of some sports," he said. Sonia stated that, when she looked back on her career, it was not the medals she thought about but "the process and the journey to get to where I was, and all the people who helped along the way". She said it's important to always have a goal to strive towards in life, and she was planning to take part in her first-ever triathlon in Monkstown, near Cobh, on June 17. She will also be involved with the Irish Olympic team, providing support to the athletes in her role as Chef de Mission in London. The citation for Mark Rohan was delivered by AIT lecturer Jim Maguire. He remarked that the paracycling champion had shown incredible determination since suffering serious injuries in a road accident in 2001. "He gives back to sport and the community as much as he gets from it. He is always willing to visit schools, encourage other budding athletes, and assist in any way people recovering from serious injury," he said. Mark was "honoured and humbled" to receive his award. "Barry, Eamonn and Sonia are legends of their sports... they are an example for me and for all other athletes competing at the moment," he said. The local man revealed that when he was growing up his sporting ambition was to win an All-Ireland with Westmeath. Earlier, Eamonn Coghlan spoke about reaching a fork in the road during life's journey and having to decide whether to turn right or turn left. Referring to this, Mark said: "Unfortunately I missed both of those turns and I ended up in a ditch! As a result I ended up in a wheelchair." He spent 210 days in hospital following his accident and somebody came to visit him every single day - "so that's a reflection on the people who supported me and really pulled me through the accident". He also thanked AIT for choosing a paralympic athlete for the Distinguished Fellowship honour. "For (AIT) to include paralympic sport on the same level as elite athletes such as the Distinguished Fellows here today is very much appreciated and it's great to see that this forward thinking is leading to barriers being broken down within the sporting community," he said. "I hope and I dream of doing yourselves, my community, my parents, the college and everybody involved in sport in Ireland proud and being able to represent them in a good light in the September games. Hopefully we'll bring home a few medals." AIT President, Prof. Ciarán " Catháin, said the four recipients "have been wonderful ambassadors, not just for their respective sports but for the entire nation." He added that "their life's work epitomises the best of the Irish spirit." The Institute's Distinguished Fellowship recognises individuals who have made continuing significant contributions to society, Ireland, the Midlands, or the development and advancement of AIT. Previous recipients include former President Mary McAleese, Mary O'Rourke, Paddy Cooney, Dr Don Panoz and Stephen Grant.