Coming home a hero always brings with it feelings of pride and elation, but for Mike Ross those feelings increased tenfold when he saw the welcome that awaited him in his old Fermoy schools.

On Friday last, the Ballyhooly native visited his former schools, Adair NS and St Colman's College in Fermoy, as well as St Joseph's. Speaking to The Avondhu about the experience, Mike said that he felt it was important to revisit his old schools and give something back.

"I think it's important to give something back to the schools that gave you so much," he said.

He added that it's important for the students to see where past pupils have gone and in the case of St Colman's College, which would not be known as a 'rugby school', he said that it shows that not having rugby as part of his early school life didn't stop him from progressing in his chosen career. He said that having your own personal drive is sometimes the most important thing.

In Adair National School, principal Heather Smith, staff and students greeted Mike, as he got a warm welcome and had queues of children eagerly waiting their turn to speak to the sporting hero and get his autograph. He was also given the honour of autographing a cupboard in the school, which is reserved for the signatures of past pupils.

In St Colman's College, many of the students had donned Irish jerseys for the special occasion and Mike was welcomed into the assembly hall by a guard of honour, as well known Irish rugby anthems were played. The reception he received from the students of St Colman's College and those visiting from Loreto Secondary School was overwhelming, as he made his way up to the stage, while famed moments from his on-pitch performances were being shown on a projector above the stage.

Principal Veronica O'Donoghue told the assembled crowd that Mike Ross was making history on the day, as it was the first time that the school ever had anyone visit from a Six Nations winning team.

"He wasn't born with a silver spoon of rugby and North Cork is not known for rugby, but he worked very hard against a lot of the odds," she said. "The students couldn't have a better role model to draw on than Mike Ross," she added.

The principal went on to say that Mike has always been a great friend of the schools and to all in Fermoy, being a great inspiration to all.

On Friday night, Mike also made an appearance on the Late Late Show, where St Colman's College got an honourable mention, as a picture of Mike in the school was shown on the RTE talk show.

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