UCF head coach George O'Leary to apply for Irish citizenship

UCF head coach George O'Leary, who is set to receive a "Certificate of Irish Heritage" from Ireland's government, says he will apply for Irish citizenship following the discovery of the birth certificates of his Irish grandparents.

"I want to get that done when I retire," O'Leary said, via the Orlando Sentinel. "I'm proud of my Irish heritage."

O'Leary's Irish-born grandparents will make the process of becoming a dual citizen an easier procedure since the country states that an applicant's parents or grandparents must be citizens in order for candidates who don't live in Ireland to be considered.

Peter McKenna, the director of Coke Park in Dublin where the Knights and Penn State will play their season opener Aug. 30, spoke about the significance of O'Leary's honorary certificate.

"It's a massive honor for him to get the Certificate of Irish Heritage," McKenna said. "George has come full circle. His grandparents immigrated to the United States from Ireland and now he's coming back to Ireland leading a college football team that is the Fiesta Bowl champions."