Lenihan pays tribute to friend, mentor

FORMER Lions manager Donal Lenihan yesterday said that Mick Doyle had played a hugely influential role on his career both as a player and coach.

Doyle was the first Irish coach to make Lenihan national captain, and the two enjoyed a tight working relationship, which included the 1987 World Cup when the Kerry native was hospitalised after a heart attack.

"When Mick took over as Irish coach in 1985, people were wondering what he was doing," Lenihan said, as the Irish side Doyle inherited had just suffered a championship whitewash the year before.