|
Mick Doyle (October 13, 1941 - May 11, 2004) was an Irish rugby player and coach.
Doyle was born in Castleisland, County Kerry. He made his Ireland debut against France on January 23, 1965, scoring a try during the game. He went on to earn the distinction of never being dropped during his 20-cap international career as a flanker. Doyler, as he was affectionately known, scored the winning try against Wales in 1967, toured Australia with Ireland in 1967 and South Africa with the Irish and British Lions the next year.
His last game for Ireland was against Australia in October 1968, when he lined out alongside his brother Tommy. He coached Leinster to Interprovincial Championship success five times between 1979 and 1983 before he succeded Willie John McBride as Ireland coach during the 1984/85 season. Under Doyle's stewardship, Ireland won the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship in 1985.
He led Ireland to the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, but that joy was tinged with sadness as he suffered a heart attack at the opening dinner. He battled illness and adversity and his recovery from a brain problem was chronicled in his book '0.16'.
In latter years, apart from working in his veterinary practice, he was a regular contributor to rugby matters on RTÉ Radio One, where his insight, honesty and humour frequently illuminated the big occasions for the listening public.
Doyle was killed in a car crash on 11 May 2004.
| 
