'Mick never forgot his roots’
Glowing tributes were paid to the gravelly voiced Castleisland man, 63, who was described as an heroic and larger-than-life figure by Castleisland rugby club chairman Maurice Walsh.
“Mick will always be remembered here with pride and as someone who brought great honour to Kerry.
“As well as his 20 Irish caps, he achieved almost everything that was to be achieved in rugby, both as an international player and manager, and was renowned for his unbelievable passion for the game.
“He never forget his roots, always kept in touch with his friends in Castleisland and loved to come back here from to time.
“He was a straight-talking man and people were always interested in his views on rugby matters. He knew his rugby inside out,” he said.
Mick Doyle, a veterinary surgeon, was steeped in rugby from his childhood days as his father, Michael, a hatchery and bar owner, played with Castleisland.
Michael Doyle senior and Mick’s uncle, Bill Dennehy, won Munster Junior Cup medals with Castleisland, in 1941.
Though the winner of an All-Ireland minor football medal with Kerry, it came as no surprise when Mick opted for rugby.
He and his brother, Tom, were both on the Irish team in 1968.
He was a major part of a strong rugby tradition in Castleisland that also includes personalities such as Moss Keane, Mick Galwey and the writer, Con Houlihan.
Kerry-based Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said he learned of Mick Doyle’s death with great sadness.
Mr O’Donoghue recalled Doyle’s “give it a lash” philosophy when he helped steer Ireland to Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship successes, in 1985.
“In doing so, he earned iconic status in Irish sporting circles,” the minister remarked.
“Mick later enjoyed success as a writer as well as an analyst and pundit and never shied away from speaking his mind.
“We are much the poorer for his passing.”
