Doyle vows to play on despite tragedy

STEVE COPPELL is confident that Kevin Doyle will be able to compete in Reading’s final two games of the season despite the tragic loss of four members of his family at the weekend.

Coppell broke the news to Doyle that his cousin, her husband and their two children had died in the County Wexford tragedy on Saturday morning. Adamstown-born Doyle won high praise from Coppell, the Reading manager, after choosing to take part in the match and the Republic of Ireland international emerged as one of his side’s better performers before being substituted midway through the second-half.

Coppell revealed he went against Doyle’s family wishes, who had wanted the news kept from the 24-year-old former St Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City player until after the game.