Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner took place at The Grosvenor House Hotel this week with Garrett Fitzgerald honoured with this year’s Richard Harris Patron’s Award.

Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner took place at The Grosvenor House Hotel this week with Garrett Fitzgerald honoured with this year’s Richard Harris Patron’s Award.

The prestigious award recognises an individual who, through his or her life or work, encapsulates Munster’s values of passion, integrity, ambition, excellence and community.

Fitzgerald, who served as Munster Rugby CEO from 1999 until his retirement in June, was the longest-serving provincial chief executive in Irish rugby.

During his time, Garrett spearheaded the province’s rise in the professional era overseeing a 20-year period that has produced the greatest days for the province, with successes on and off the field.

Some of the landmark moments throughout an illustrious career include the province securing silverware in the League on three occasions and winning two European Cups, the redevelopment of Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park, and the move to one training centre at the High Performance Centre in UL.

The former Munster chief was also honoured by the Federation of Irish Sport recently for his outstanding contribution to sport.

The award is named in honour of Richard Harris, a Munster Rugby patron in its truest sense. Everywhere he went he espoused his love of Munster Rugby and what it meant to him.

Having represented Munster Rugby both at Schools and U20s level, he understood and demonstrated the heritage, values and passion which Munster Rugby instil in all those who play with and support them. Such was his pride in the jersey, he treasured his Munster U20s jersey and famously wore it to the European Cup final in 2002.

Sculptor Jarlath Daly created a custom piece which was originally presented to the Harris Family in 2014, with a replica being presented to a new recipient each year thereafter at Munster Rugby’s Annual London Dinner.