Mick Doyle Killed In Road Traffic Accident.

Former Ireland rugby union coach Mick
Doyle was killed in a motoring accident earlier today.

Doyle, (63) was in a car which was in a collision with a lorry on a stretch of road at Quinn’s Corner near Dungannon, on the Omagh to Dungannon road in County Tyrone.

He coached Ireland to the Triple Crown and the old Five Nations
Championship in 1985. Ireland’s Triple Crown this season was their
first since
Doyle’s team achieved the feat 19 years ago.

Doyle also won 20 consecutive caps as a flanker for Ireland
between
1965-68, touring Australia with Ireland in 1967 and South Africa with
the
British and Irish Lions the following year.

IRFU President, John Quilligan in paying tribute to the ‘larger than life character of great
popularity,” said,
“It is with a great sense of shock and sorrow that I have learned of
the
death of Mick Doyle. On my own behalf and that of the Irish Rugby
Football
Union, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to Mandy and all
the
Doyle family on their tragic loss.

“Mick Doyle leaves an indelible mark on Irish rugby as a player of
distinction, having won 20 caps for Ireland between 1965 and 68 and
also as
a coach of renown, having led Ireland to Triple Crown victory in 1985.

“He gave the game great service in his associations with Ireland, the
Lions,
U.C.D., Blackrock College, Garryowen, Cork Constitution, Cambridge University and Edinburgh
Wanderers as a
player, and then with Leinster and Ireland as a selector and coach.

“More than that, Mick was also a larger than life character of great
popularity, who will be sorely missed in all rugby circles. May he
rest in
peace.”

In addition a staement from the Ulster Branch IRFU read,
“It is with great shock that the Ulster Branch of the IRFU
learned of
the tragic death of Mick Doyle this morning.

“As well as being a
distinguished player and coach, he was also one of rugby’s great
characters who will be sorely missed.

“All at Ulster Rugby extend their
deepest sympathies to the family circle.”