McManus ‘embarrassed’ at latest honour

PROMPTED by the success of the JP McManus owned Don’t Push It in the Aintree Grand National, a new medallion was added to the historic Mayoral chain this week.
Some weeks ago, deputy Mayor Kevin Kiely, issued a press release that JP McManus was to be recognised as the first Limerick owner of a horse to win the Aintree Grand National, with a solid gold piece on the mayoral chain.

It had been claimed that “top brass” in City Hall had some reservations about the wording, and some of his colleagues told the Limerick Post that they had been unaware of his intentions.
The medallion was presented in Limerick City Hall this Wednesday morning to Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Jim Long.
It has now emerged that Mr McManus was recognised as not only the owner of Don’t Push It, but also as a Freeman of Limerick and for his generous contribution to the city.
The horse ‘Don’t Push it’ ridden by AP McCoy and trained by John Joe O’Neill, won the 2010 Aintree Grand National.
Mr McManus had requested a low-key ceremony this Wednesday. The press was not invited to attend.
According to a release issued later, Mr McManus told the specially invited gathering:
“I feel very honoured to be here with my family but I’m embarrassed to a point. We’re fortunate in Limerick that there is so many people who put an awful lot of hard work into making Limerick a better place. I’m embarrassed because there’s so many other people who make it their lives day in and day out; I’m only here an odd day”.

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