See below an article which appeared in the match programme of Kilkenny v Tipperary on Sunday last in the Allianz Hurling League and which is reproduced here by popular demand.
Jimmy Doyle R.I.P. – The view from Leinster
By Jim Fogarty
I have lived in Kilkenny for longer than in my native county of Tipperary. Despite the intense hurling rivalry between the counties, I have never heard anything but admiration for Jimmy Doyle from Kilkenny supporters. The match reports in the Kilkenny newspapers reflect the esteem in which Jimmy was held.
The Kilkenny Journal reporting on the All-Ireland minor hurling final of 1957, in which Tipperary defeated Kilkenny by 4-7 to 3-7;
“If ever one player contributed more than his share to victory it was Jimmy Doyle, who after starting at left-half-forward, quickly moved to centrefield and then held a sort of roving commission for the rest of the game. In this way he helped in defence one minute and in the next helped to press home attacks. With this exception, the Kilkenny boys matched their opponents”.
The Kilkenny People report on the same match;
“Jimmy Doyle was a real thorn in the Kilkenny side. He played a real captain’s part. Apart from his own scores, he had a hand in many others. His presence seemed to give added courage to his comrades”.
The Kilkenny People report on the All-Ireland senior semi-final of 1958, in which Tipperary defeated Kilkenny by 1-13 to 1-8;
“Few right-half-backs in the game would welcome the task of marking an in-form Jimmy Doyle. With a personal tally of 1-8, the 19 year-old left hander converted into scores the superlative work of his defence. From his opening point 30 seconds from the start, he never looked back and had Kilkenny a forward of his calibre, what way might the game have ended? Doyle’s chief danger was his accuracy in shooting. So the only way to effectively police him was to prevent him getting any shot in, a task which, obviously few defenders in the game today would welcome. Kilkenny were unfortunate in having to play against a team that included Jimmy Doyle”.
Many other match reports in the Kilkenny newspapers highlight the skills of Jimmy Doyle. To conclude here is a tribute to Jimmy, written by Ciaran O Coigligh, obviously a Dublin resident;
Jimmy Doyle
“Just like my boyhood and lifelong hero Jimmy Doyle
I groomed and cut and wore my hair in crew-cut style
moulding and modelling all I did with caman and sliotar
making my own of Jimmy’s twists and turns on bitter
yellow-leaved dying autumn or sun-drenched summer Sundays.
Dublin’s desolate wastelands our hallowed makeshift Croke Parks
of dreams where ragged boys transcended social ills
yearned for glory as the clash of ash made sparks
life in erin’s isle gave joy and countless thrills
each boy propelled by pride and duty as jumbo jets on runways.
I stand on a bitter October day and watch you ply your trade
your graceful gestures and fluent art command our eyes attention
in time to come I will praise your abundant prowess
whether I am in a happy position or bleak location.
I will explain to the generations and to my children’s offspring
that art and not spectator sport was your concern
you were indeed the star of our youth, our Christy, our vision, our dream, our apparition.
May health and life be yours, abundance and plenty;
your likes will ne’er be seen again.
Not money, not the wealth of the world
could purchase your unique hurling stroke
memories awake from the fog of forgetfulness
and the gay abandon of youth. The darling of hurling fans
from gentle Antrim to your native Thurles.
You will be surprised to learn that Finglas eyes were on you alone
despite our want of hurling boots, your legend spread
among chislers, men, women and a discerning public.
Let us affirm your greatness tonight
with wholesome joy and little drink”.
Jim Fogarty is the author of
“The Cross of Cashel”—-All-Ireland u-21 hurling finals 1964 to 2014.
“The Dan Breen Cup”—-Tipperary county SH finals 1931 to 2011.
