Jack Kyle: One of the greats

There are some images that resonate far beyond the confines of their subject matter or time.

One of those is the uplifting image of Jack Kyle congratulating Brian O’Driscoll after Ireland won our second Grand Slam in 2009 in Cardiff — 61 years after Kyle inspired the team that won Ireland’s first. That wonderfully warm picture reminds us that even if endeavour is not always rewarded then persistence usually is. It also underlines the mercurial but permanent nature of sporting greatness and leadership.

Kyle, who died on Thursday night aged 88 after a long illness, was voted Ireland’s best ever rugby player in 2002 and was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2008.