Philip, or Goose as he was known to so many, was a hugely influential and successful coach who guided the Ireland Women’s team to an historic Grand Slam win in 2013, and a Rugby World Cup semi-final appearance the following year.
Goose began his coaching career at Blackrock College RFC. Having played for the club at several levels he coached the Men's J1s and served as forwards coach for the Men's team in the All-Ireland League before turning to Women's rugby.
Goose and his wife Nicola played a pioneering role in the establishment and development of women's rugby at the club. They were recently awarded the Sue Garden Bachop Trailblazer Trophy for their lifetime of work and committment to women's rugby.
Goose also had stints at club level with DLSP, and Bective Rangers, as well as coaching at provincial level with Leinster and Ulster.
More recently he served as coach of the Scotland Women’s team, but he is best known for his incredible service at the helm of the Ireland Women’s side.
He first coached the national team between 2003 and 2006, before taking the reins again from 2010 to 2014.
In his second tenure, he guided the team to some incredible performances and brought through some of the most well-known names in Women's rugby.
In 2013 Ireland won the Grand Slam, starting with a narrow win away to Wales, followed by a seismic 25-0 victory over England in Ashbourne.
Ireland then picked up the Triple Crown with a win in Scotland before a 15-10 win against France set up a shot at Grand Slam glory. The decisive game, played in muddy and rain-soaked conditions in Parabiago on St. Patrick's Day, saw Ireland win 6-3 against Italy to put their name in the history books.
A year later Goose brought the team to the Rugby World Cup in France and a famous triumph against the Black Ferns was the first in Test history by an Ireland Men's or Women's 15s team against New Zealand. They went on to finish fourth overall.
Goose was a passionate and powerful voice for Women’s rugby throughout his career and his commitment to his teams was unsurpassed. He was deeply committed to every team he coached and he will be deeply mourned in the rugby community.
IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said, "We are deeply shocked and saddened at the tragic loss of Philp Doyle. He played a huge role in Women's rugby in Ireland for many years. His passion and success was marked not alone with a Grand Slam in 2013 and the famous World Cup victory over the Black Ferns in 2014, but also in the many players that he helped to develop and encourage, and the voice he gave to Women's rugby.
On behalf of the IRFU I offer our sincere condolences to Philip's wife Nicola, his children Alix, Mark and Ross, his mother Anne and his extended family at this very sad time."
First I must extend my deepest sympathies to Nicola, Alix, Mark and Ross at this very sad time. Their family and the rugby community have lost one of the greats and we want them to know how much we loved him and will cherish his memory.
“It is hard for me to put in to words what Goose meant to so many of us. His Irish women’s rugby coaching achievements were extraordinary. He coached Women’s rugby here in Ireland across a transformational era. He cared so deeply for the women’s game and had a forthright commitment, even post retirement to showing the world how good women’s rugby can be.
"He was strong and persistent at breaking down doors for the game, but for those who knew him closely, they know he was a gentle giant with a soft heart. As Goose’s career unfolded he created an incredible environment for women to lead on and off field.
“As much as those famous victories, we will remember him for all those moments off the pitch, how he guided us, supported us, and watched us grow into the women we are today. We grew up beside Nicola and the kids and are heartbroken for their loss.