The 2015 Limerick person of the year awards have prompted a question that surely everyone grapples with. Does where you were born define you or is it where you grew up?
Former Irish and Munster rugby star Tony Ward has described receiving the title of Honorary Limerick man at a ceremony on shannonside as the "greatest personal achievement" of his life.
The former European rugby player of the year, who was part of the Munster team that famously defeated the All Blacks in 1978, was presented with the surprise award at the Limerick Person of the Year Awards.
WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee was named 2015 Limerick Person of the Year for his incredible victory over Russia’s Matt Korobov in Las Vegas last December.
The 30-year-old who was born in London and raised in Castleconnell said he was blown away by the acknowledgement.
Speaking on video link from Monaco, where he is training for his next fight, Lee said: "I am absolutely delighted to win this award. To be named Limerick Person of the Year really is mind blowing and I would like to congratulate the other nominees and wish them all the best in the future."
"Thank you all for your support and again, this award means a lot to me - I know my mother is there, so she will be enjoying it and I will see you all soon, hopefully back in Limerick after a successful defence of my fight," he added.
Andy's mother Ann punched the air in victory as she accepted the award on her son's behalf.
"Andy was born in London because we had to move there when things were bad for work here. When he was growing up in London he was considered Irish and when we came back to Ireland he was considered English," she joked.
"Andy grew into Limerick and Andy considers himself a Limerick person. If he's in America and they ask him where he comes from, he just says Limerick," she said.
Tony Ward on the other had was born in Dublin in 1954, spending his early years in Leeds until his father’s premature death in 1959 necessitated the family’s return to Ireland. Following his education at St Mary’s College, Rathmines, Dublin where his rugby career began, Tony moved to Limerick in 1974 to pursue his studies. In 1978, Tony graduated with a BA Physical Education from Thomond College of Education (integrated into UL in ‘91).
During these years and beyond, Tony continued to play Rugby at Club level with Garryowen (‘75–‘82), St Mary’s (‘82–‘85) and Greystones (‘85– ‘89). As an outstanding fly-half, Tony played rugby for Munster (‘75–‘84) and Leinster (’86-‘88) and also for Ireland (’78-’88), the Barbarians and the British & Irish Lions (South Africa ‘80). In ’79, he was the first ever Recipient of the European Player of the Year Award.
Tony made his international debut against Scotland at Landsdowne Road in January, 1978 at the age of 23. He helped Ireland win 12-9 and during the 1978 Five Nations Championship he scored 38 points, a record for a debutant. He made one major tour with Ireland, to Australia in 1979. During his career as an Ireland international, he scored 113 points, including 29 penalties, 7 conversions and 4 drop goals. Tony played his last game for Ireland on 3 June 1987 in a 32-9 win over Tonga during the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
He also inspired Munster to a legendary win over New Zealand, scoring two drop goals and a conversion in a 12-0 victory at Thomond Park on 31 October 1978. To-date, Munster is the only Irish team ever to beat the All-Blacks.
Tony also played one Test game for the British and Irish Lions during the 1980 South Africa tour. He set a Lions Test record by scoring 18 points, including 5 penalties and a drop goal. It was also a record for any player against South Africa.
While playing rugby, Tony had also been a geography and PE teacher at St Andrews secondary school in Booterstown, Dublin where during the '90's, he became a highly-valued and well-respected Rugby Coach for the school. While in that role, he constantly downplayed his fame and success and couldn't even be in the room if another coach played video footage of his legendary tries!
Although better known as a rugby player, Tony was also among that rare breed of dual-player. He played football (soccer) as a schoolboy for Rangers AFC in Dublin and for Ireland (Under-15) while as an adult, he played for Shamrock Rovers and Limerick United where in 1982, he helped the Limerick club win the FAI Cup in a historic win over Bohemians.
Tony was left stunned and emotional when the inaugural Honourary Limerick perosn of the year award was presented to him at the annual event in the Clarion Hotel.
"It's the greatest personal achievement of my life," said 'Wardy' as he's known in the Treaty City.
"It's just blown me away," he added and joked he would have worn a tie had he known about it in advance.
"If I had a tie, I would have worn it. One thing I was thought growing up was to have respect for the occasion," he said.
Having also had a sterling soccer career in Limerick and played against Tottenham and Manchester United in the 1980s.
Fighting back tears, he added: "You have no idea the pride I am going to carry with me as an honorary Limerick man."
For a generation of youngsters in Limerick supporting various sports, they probably thought Ward was from Limerick and some may have judged Andy Lee by his accent as being from London. As Ireland's shocking economic collapse drove thousands from these shores the question of identity has do doubt arisen for many over recent years and recent generations. So where you from anyway?!
