Ronan O’Gara is featured in Messenger of St Anthony

Pictured: Father John and Ronan O’Gara

RUGBY ‘great’ Ronan O’Gara has been in the news since he first starred with PBC in Munster Schools Junior rugby and this week he made an unlikely appearance in this month’s Messenger of Saint Anthony. An article on Franciscan Friar, 69 year old Father John O’Brien, revealed that the Galway raised book writer is a keen admirer of the La Rochelle coach,

In his latest book. Winter Past: the Spirit of Hope, Father John received personal praise from the late Pope Francis who was impressed with commendation on its reflection on human dignity, compassion and hope in this troubled world. Fr John also had admiration for rugby stars Shaun Edwards and former England captain  Lawrence Dallaglio,

“While I was in Cork I became known as someone athletes could talk to, and I supported many who went on to have great careers. I met Ronan O’Gara years later at a match and he remembered me, which was humbling. Before my major cancer surgery he even called to the hospital to wish me well, surprising the nurse who took the call. She had just dreampt of meeting him. I met Shaun Edwards on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I couldn’t place him first but he connected and we became good friends. Shaun later worked for Mother Teresa in London. He’s remained deeply grounded in his own spiritual journey.

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