Ireland's top teachers will be celebrated by a new award launched by sports star Malcolm O'Kelly.

The teacher of the year 2010 will be honoured in Galway in April, and schoolchildren or their parents can nominate a primary or secondary school teacher who they believe deserves special recognition for their work in the classroom.

Rugby union player O'Kelly, who represented Ireland at three World Cups, has lent his support to the award.

"Many people - myself included - can trace their choice of career back to the special effort that a teacher made," he said.

O'Kelly thanks a former teacher for inspiring him on to his own career path, which saw him earn a record 91 caps for Ireland's national rugby side as well as a masters degree in mathematics.

The Leinster lock says the endeavours of maths teacher Walter Rocket fuelled his own passion for maths during his time as a student at Dublin's Templeogue College.

Written by Donal Walsh

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