VIDEO: Thousands pay respects to Tipperary legend Jimmy Doyle

Thousands of hurling fans queued for hours in Thurles last evening for the removal of Tipperary hurling great Jimmy Doyle, who passed away suddenly on Monday, aged 76.

In a career that spanned three decades, the Thurles Sarsfields Boy Wonder of Hurling, won six senior All-Ireland medals and was named on the Hurling teams of the Millennium and Century, and Hurler of the Year in 1965, when he led Tipperary to their 21st All-Ireland title.

The current Tipperary hurling team joined with former Tipperary and Sarsfields team-mates to form a Guard of Honour last evening as his remains were brought from Sarsfields Social Centre, where they reposed, to the nearby Church of St Joseph and St Bridget.

Former team-mates in attendance included Sarsfields club president 92-year-old Mickey “The Rattler” Byrne, Michael Murphy, Donie Nealon, Theo English, Tom Moloughney, Liam Devaney, John O’Grady, Mackey McKenna, Billy Quinn, Noel O’Dwyer, and Jimmy Finn.

From Cork came Ray Cummins, Denis Coughlan, Tony Maher, Gerald McCarthy, Willie Walsh, Pat Fitzgerald and Gerry Fitzgerald, and officers of the county board.

From Kilkenny, Paddy Moran, Pat Henderson, Jim Treacy, Noel Skehan and Liam “Chunky” O’Brien.

From Limerick, Pat and Bernie Hartigan, Eamon Cregan, Ned Rea, and PJ Keane.

From Wexford, Tom Neville, Pat Nolan, Dan Quigley.

Robert Frost, chairman of the Munster Council and officers of the council, including PRO Ger Ryan, attended along with Michael Bourke, chairman and Tim Floyd secretary, and officers of Tipperary County board.

Former president, Joe Connolly, Cyril O’Flaherty and Jimmy Duggan of Galway were also in attendance.

The president of the GAA Aogain Ó Fearghaill is expected to attend the Requiem Mass in Thurles this morning (10am), after which the funeral takes place to The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Cork.