Munster and Ireland rugby star Peter O’Mahony has urged students at University of Limerick to ‘keep the faith’ in anticipation of public health restrictions being relaxed in the coming weeks and months.
The rugby legend has recorded a special video for students at UL, where Munster’s High Performance Academy is based.
UL Provost and Deputy President Professor Nigel Healey said he was “truly delighted that Peter has kindly taken some time out of his busy schedule to urge UL students to keep the faith, and embrace your resilience and know that better times are ahead.
Professor Healey said in an email to students: “It is our very strong hope and a major goal that the next Academic Year 21/22 will see every one of you back on campus and that we will have a chance to welcome in particular our current first year students in person and on campus as second years.
“That will be dependent on the public health guidance at the time, and discussions will take place with Minister Simon Harris and his department over the coming weeks to plot the best way forward for a more normal return to campus life.
“You have all come so far, you have adapted to deal with this changed learning environment and you have only another few weeks to go.
“There is a short amount of time left in this academic year and I know we all very much hope that the public health restrictions will be reduced over the coming weeks and months as more and more of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19. The light is at the end of the tunnel but we need to get there safely, so please continue to follow public health advice,” Professor Healey added.
In the video, Peter O’Mahony says: “The reason I am here is to give you a bit of encouragement. I know how difficult a time it is for you all, particularly at this stage of your life.
“There isn’t a huge amount of time left, by the looks of things, in the lockdown. There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel for us all to come out of these restrictions and I think the big thing is just, I suppose, I know it is hard, but investing in adhering to the regulations and the restrictions for the amount of time left.
“We have come through so much and you know, 12 months plus of this now, and we might not have less than half of that left, hopefully, to get through.
“If we can do it together and the better we can do it – I think the less time it will be. I think that is the end goal – we all want to come out of this as soon as possible and I think if we can stick to it, stick to what the government are telling us, I think we will come of it faster.
“I hope you all stay safe and stay healthy, thank you for taking the time again to listen to me – of all people – keep the faith, hopefully there isn’t long left,” he adds.