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Source: Leah Farrell" title="">All images: RollingNews.ie
Céad Míle Fáilte
'One of the best': Joe Schmidt becomes an Irish citizen
Richardt Strauss and Olly Hodges were also granted citizenship today.
JOE SCHMIDT BECAME an Irish citizen at a ceremony in Dublin today.
The national rugby coach, who is originally from New Zealand, wasn’t the only one officially welcomed into the fold today, with player Richardt Strauss, from South Africa, and the IRFU’s Olly Hodges, from Australia, also being granted citizenship.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald gave a speech in which she praised the contribution the men have made to Irish rugby.
She quoted journalist Anthony Woods as noting Schmidt is “one of the best”.
“People in rugby tell me that Joe does an untold amount of work behind the scenes to support grassroots rugby in Ireland – quietly declining offered payment,” Fitzgerald said.
And he’s not on his own. As key members of the Irish rugby management and team Joe, Oliver and Richardt have, time and again, lifted the mood of the nation, made us proud to be Irish
Richardt and Megan Straus
Joe Schmidt and Minister Frances Fitzgerald
Joe Schmidt
IRFU's Olly Hodges and Emma Hodges
Citizenship ceremony
Fitzgerald and Schmidt
Fitzgerald and Schmidt
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