Foundation Day Medal Awarded to Brian O'Driscoll

(30 Nov 2009)

foundation medal bod02 The 2009 outstanding alumnus to receive the UCD Foundation Day Medal is Irish rugby hero, Brian O’Driscoll, (Dip Sports Mgt 1998).

Captain of the most successful Irish rugby team in a generation, Brian O’Driscoll lead an unbeaten season to claim the Triple Crown, the Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam for Ireland for the first time in 61 years in Cardiff’s Millennium stadium on 21st March. Alongside O’Driscoll, this remarkable team included four other UCD players, graduate Paddy Wallace and students, Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy and Jamie Heaslip. Brian O’Driscoll also played a central role for Leinster that brought European glory to the boys in blue.

Speaking at the presentation of the Medal on 06 November 2009, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD said, “Throughout its evolution, UCD has been actively engaged in shaping the development of our society and economy and has played an unparalleled role in the creation of the modern, dynamic, vibrant society that is 21st Century Ireland. The University has also made a significant contribution to sports.”

“Sporting achievement is a source of national pride and a source of inspiration. Brian O’Driscoll embodies this through his courage, commitment, creativity and determination on the field. He displays precisely the characteristics we want our young people to display whatever their field of endeavour and has stood out as one of the finest ambassadors not only for the game of rugby but for Irish sportsmanship generally.”

foundation medal bod01 Born in Dublin on 21 January 1979, Brian O’Driscoll played his first rugby match at 11 years of age for Willow Park where he finished his primary education, before moving on to Blackrock College where he developed a passionate interest in rugby. In 1996, he achieved international recognition when he gained 3 caps for Irish schools. He was awarded a sports scholarship to University College Dublin, where he completed a diploma in Sports Management. While at UCD he progressed from the university under 20's team to the senior team in his first year under the direction of John McClean.

Selected for the senior Irish squad in April 1999 against Italy, he remained on the bench. Then selected for the summer tour to Australia, he made his debut winning his first cap at the age of 20 on 12th June 1999 in Brisbane.

In his citation for the Medal, Fergus Slattery, (BComm 71) said, "Brian has had an outstanding career since exploding onto the scene on a spring day in Paris in 2000, when he helped himself to a hat-trick of tries. Europe was aware of a great star looming on the horizon and it did not take long for the world to see his greatness."

Receiving the Medal, Brian O’Driscoll responded, “I am greatly honoured to receive this prestigious award from my alma mater, UCD and to join such a distinguished group of previous recipients. It is fantastic to be back on campus without the burden of study, enjoying this evening, meeting people from all walks of life and catching up with old friends.”

The UCD Foundation Day Medal was inaugurated in 2004 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the opening of UCD’s antecedent, the Catholic University of Ireland. Each year the medal is awarded to a graduate who demonstrates great achievement and plays a significant leadership role.

Previous recipients include: Peter Sutherland, Patrick Hillery, Maeve Binchy, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Pearse Lyons.