A MOYROSS teen has been lauded for his honesty after he reunited Munster rugby star Mick O’Driscoll with his ‘lost’ 2009 Magners League medal.
Eoin O’Halloran, 14, from Sarsfield Gardens, found the precious medal on the pitch at Thomond Park, after the decider against Glasgow.
He brought it to Mayorstone Garda Station, from where it was returned to O’Driscoll.
“Eoin’s honesty was superb,” the rugby star told the Limerick Post.
“There were so many on the pitch that day I thought it was gone for good.
“Fair play to Eoin. I feel very lucky to have it back. It’s great to see such a strong character in a young lad. He has a great interest in rugby. All my colleagues were very impressed with his honesty”.
Named Munster Rugby Player of the Year last month, Mick vowed to keep a tighter hold on his medal collection.
Eoin went to Thomond Park in the hope of getting a ticket for the Magners League game and managed to secure one.
“I went down on to the pitch after the match and I saw the medal in the grass. Mick wanted to meet me and thank me. He said he was delighted to have it back”.
Eoin is a keen artist, with a unique style that he has honed with the help of Tom de Lowhery, art teacher at Céim Ar Céim, an Irish Youth Justice Education Programme in Moyross.
He has depicted the Irish Rugby team in many of his paintings, one of which was signed by Mick O’Driscoll on a recent visit to the centre, based in the Shannon Development buildings on the Knockalisheen Road.
“I love art”, said Eoin, “I’ve done a lot of paintings of the Munster team, and I did one of Keith Earls that he signed for me”.
Eoin’s father, Martin, was clearly very proud of his son: “It’s great to have something positive for the kids to focus on and a bit of good news in the area”.
Elaine Slattery, manager of the centre, explained that the education programme targets youth at risk and offers up to level five fetac courses.
“This whole thing has been great for Eoin, it shows him and others that doing the right thing has its rewards”.
There are 36 full time students attending the centre, funded by the probation service.
Members of Limerick Sports Partnership train youths in rugby, soccer and other sports.
The programme has seen a 5% cut in government funding, but the deficit has been made up with fundraising initiatives.