Doyle, John
January 06, 2011An Taoiseach Brian Cowen led the wider tributes to John Doyle.
'I am saddened to learn of the death of John Doyle,' he said. ' He was an immense hurler and an incredibly decent man. He will deeply missed by his family and many friends throughout Ireland. John will always be remembered as one of the finest hurlers of his generation.
"His love of the GAA was matched by his concern for his country and his own community. He was a Tipperary legend and a proud Irishman.
"He was passionate about politics and he served Fianna Fail extremely well for a number of years as a local activist and in Seanad Eireann from 1969-1973.
"I extend my sympathies to John's family and friends,' said Mr Cowen.
Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Criostoir O Cuana also paid tribute to the former Tipperary player.
'John "The Legend" Doyle had a long and distinguished career with Tipperary winning eight All Irelands medals out of 10 appearances with three in a row attained before he was 21 in 1949, 1950 and 1951.
'A Holycross Ballycahill club man, his hurling career reaped a number of awards including one minor All Ireland medal, 10 Munster Senior medals and seven Railway Cup medals and also 11 National League titles.
"He was a Tipperary selector, a member of GAA's Central Council and also a member of Tipperary county board.
"I wish to express my sincere sympathies and those of the whole of the GAA to the family of the late John Doyle who has sadly passed away today,' said an tUachtaran.
'John made an immense contribution to the association over the course of his life. This spanned from his remarkable success on the hurling field with eight All Ireland medals sharing the honour with Christy Ring, right up to his contribution at national level. He is regarded as one of the best defenders ever to grace the game,' he added.
North Tipperary TD, Maire Hoctor also paid tribute to the legendary Tipperary hurler and former Fianna Fail Senator.
"I would like to pay tribute to a legendary man who was known the length and breadth of the country and whose love for GAA was equality matched by the concern he showed for his country and community. He will undoubtedly be remembered with great affection by all who knew him,' Deputy Hoctor said.
"The passing of John Doyle has left a huge void for many. He was a man passionate about sport and politics and for years was a local activists for Fianna Fail in his native Holycross and surrounding areas. He also served in Seanad Eireann from 1969 - 1973 and brought the same determination he displays on the playing fields of Ireland to the realm of Irish politics.
'His Haul of eight senior All-Ireland medals is a record which has yet to be bro-ken and is indicative of his hurling prowess with his native Tipperary. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and by all in the Fianna Fail party.
'Down through the decades John's exploits proved inspirational to generations of hurlers in Tipperary, and no doubt this year's All-Ireland victory in the face of extreme adversity proved a source of great joy to him in what were his twilight years,' Deputy Hoctor added.
'Finally, I would like to again extend my deepest condolences to John's wife, Ann, his sons Michael and John and his daughter, Margaret, Colette, Liz, Sandra and Anne Marie on their great loss. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilis.'
MEP Alan Kelly said that 'John Doyle was without doubt one of the greatest hurlers to don the blue and gold of Tipperary and won more All-Irelands than anybody else.
'John Doyle has been an inspiration to generations of hurlers in Tipperary, and the fact that he saw a new group of Tipperary players win an All-Ireland this year, will have been a source of great joy to him Passing away at a time when Tipperary are reigning champions is a fitting tribute to the man,' he concluded.
John Doyle remains were removed to Holycross Abbey on Thursday evening and burial followed Requiem Mass on Friday
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune Tweet
