Simon Zebo and Metropolitan Mayor Sean Lynch looking out over the river Shannon at his Mayoral reception. Picture: Zoe Conway/ilovelimerick.
Mayoral Reception to honour Rugby Legend Simon Zebo
By ilovelimerick correspondent Zoe Conway

At the Simon Zebo Mayoral reception Mayor Sean Lynch, Elvira Fernandez, Simon Zebo and children Jacob Zebo and Sofia Zebo. Picture: Zoe Conway/ilovelimerick.
On Wednesday, June 20th former Munster rugby star Simon Zebo was honoured at a mayoral reception hosted by Metropolitan Mayor Sean Lynch in recognition of the amazing job he did for the Munster rugby team. The reception was also a way to honour the last time that Simon and his family would be in Limerick for quite some time as they are about to make the move to France for the French rugby team soon.
Simon told me, “I feel honoured to have a mayoral reception. I’ve had some great memories in Limerick, some of the best moments of my rugby career were here. So being able to come back and have a mayoral reception and have my family involved is special.”
The Corpus Christi primary school choir started the reception by singing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’, Pink’s ‘What about us’ and The Dubliners ‘Fields of Athenry’, all of which brought smiles to everyone’s faces.
As with all of Mayor Sean Lynch’s mayoral receptions, there were several musical intervals as David Idioh played the piano and sang songs such as ‘Simply the best’ to showcase the great respect the Limerick community has for Simon Zebo’s talents.
Mayor Sean Lynch said, “You really are appreciated here in Limerick. When Zebo comes to town, it is Zebo mania! You are a natural at any sport, rugby just got lucky. Whether you are at home or away you are lightning on the field. You have an incredible mind and an incredible physical endurance.”
Mayor Sean Lynch gifted Simon Zebo not only with the standard framed scroll, he also received a miniature treaty stone and Limerick jersey to remember us by as well as a beautiful pen for all the autographs he is sure to be signing in the not so distant future.
Mayor Sean Lynch commended him, saying,“You have excelled by approaching every tournament and game as if it could be your last. You are relentless in your pursuit of greatness, you are a leader. You have shouldered Munster’s expectations for so long, not alone do you endure rugby at every level, but you enjoy it and when you enjoy it things happen.”
For more stories on mayoral receptions, go here.
For more information on Simon Zebo, go here.
Pictures by Zoe Conway/ilovelimerick