Rugby 'quieter and duller without Mick'

THE sporting world united yesterday in paying tribute to former Irish rugby player and coach Mick Doyle, who died following a car accident in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.

Aged 63, the Castleisland, Co Kerry-born and Kildare-based veterinary surgeon will be best remembered for coaching Ireland to Triple Crown glory in 1985 with his famous 'give it a lash' philosophy.

"Doyler" earned 20 caps as a flanker between 1965-68 and was selected for the Lions tour to South Africa in 1968. His coaching achievements also contained a little more breadth than a Triple Crown victory, as he led his adopted province, Leinster, to five interprovincial titles on the trot between 1979 and 1983.