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IRFU Marks Passing Of Two Former Internationals

IRFU Marks Passing Of Two Former Internationals

The President, Committee and staff of the Irish Rugby Football Union were saddened to learn this week of the passing of two former Ireland internationals, Robin Roe and Barry Bresnihan.

Rev. Robin Roe CBE, MC (1928 – 2010) passed away late last week, following a short illness. He was a member of the Ireland squad from 1952 to 1957.

Rev. Roe, an alumni of The King’s Hospital, played club rugby for Dublin University and Lansdowne. He earned his first cap on March 29, 1952, taking over from Ireland’s 1948 Grand Slam captain Karl Mullen against England and went on to win 21 caps in total.

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He played his last game against Wales in Cardiff in 1957. He was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1955 and also played for the Barbarians.

He moved to England and represented the British Armed Forces and London Irish. He was awarded the Military Cross and CBE for an illustrious army career.

The second former Ireland international who passed away recently is Professor F.P.K. (Barry) Bresnihan. Born in Waterford, Bresnihan was educated at Gonzaga College S.J. and played club rugby for UCD and Lansdowne.

Bresnihan played for Munster and was named in the Ireland team for his first cap against England in 1966. He missed the subsequent game against Scotland but scored a try in his second game to help Ireland beat Wales.

He won a total of 25 caps, with his last coming alongside Mike Gibson against Wales in March 1971.

He was an injury replacement for the 1966 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa and in 1968 played in all three Tests for the Lions against South Africa. He was also a member of the Munster team that beat the touring Australians in 1967.

Bresnihan was a professor at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and was a world expert on rheumatology.

Both men will be sadly missed by their families, relatives and friends and fondly remembered by their team-mates and the wider Irish rugby community.

May they Rest In Peace.