Tipperary GAA Press Release – Jimmy Doyle RIP
The death took place on Monday, 22nd June, of Hurling Right Full-Forward of the Century and the Millennium, Jimmy Doyle, aged 76.
Born in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on the 20th of March 1939, Jimmy grew up near to Thurles Sportsfield, now Semple Stadium. Following in the footsteps of his late father Gerry, Jimmy began his hurling career in goal where he won his first Munster Minor medal for Tipperary in 1954. Having lost the All-Ireland final to Dublin, Jimmy had his mind made up goals was no longer for him. In one of many golden spells, Jimmy won his first of three All-Ireland Minor Medals the next year in 1955 following up in ’56 and as captain in ’57. At the same time with his beloved Thurles Sarsfields Club he collected 4 county minor hurling titles from ’54 to ’57 as well as a Dr. Harty Cup Medal with Thurles C.B.S. in ’56.
Indeed such was his prowess, Jimmy was already a star on the Tipperary Senior team by the time his Minor career had ended.
His dedication to honing his skills in the shadow of Thurles Sportsfield proved to be Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary’s gain as this natural hurling genius developed his craft. With an unerring eye and wrists of a craftsman, the hours of practice that Doyle put in proved crucial in many an opponent’s heart being broken for both club and county.
His senior career with Tipperary started with a debut in the 1957/58 National League and continued up until his retirement after the 1973 Championship. In what was a hugely successful period for Tipperary Hurling, Jimmy played a lead role as part of successful Tipperary teams. In that time he won 6 All-Ireland Senior Hurling medals, 9 Munster Hurling medals and 7 National Hurling League medals. Jimmy also captained the team to All-Ireland victory in 1962 and 1965 and was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.
He went on to win 8 Railway Cup medals with Munster, while at club level he won 10 Tipperary County Championship medals with Thurles Sarsfields.
In all Jimmy Doyle made 39 Championship appearances for Tipperary and was top scorer for the Championship in 1958, ’60, ’61, ’62 and ’64. By the time his retirement came round he was Tipperary’s all-time top scorer with a career tally of 18 goals and 176 points. This was a record which stood until 2007 when Eoin Kelly edged out in front.
Jimmy was named as the GAA’s Hurling Right Full-Forward on the Team of the Century in 1984 and was named in the same position on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.
He was named at Right Half-Forward on the Tipperary Team of the Millennium in 1999.
Ahead of all of these he was Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1965.
Thurles Town Council paid tribute to Jimmy Doyle as they officially opened the “Jimmy Doyle Road” in his honour in 2012, a road many a supporter now travels on their way to Semple Stadium.
Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late Jimmy Doyle on hearing of his untimely passing – “The name of Jimmy Doyle will never and should never be forgotten. He was the ultimate sticks-man, a master of his craft not alone of his own age but for all ages. He inspired countless hurlers who wanted to be Jimmy Doyle and who craved the genius he bore with such humility and grace. Tipperary and Thurles has lost one of its greatest sons the likes of whom we may never witness again. As Tipperary County Chairman, I am privileged to have known Jimmy Doyle, a man of immense hurling ability, who held a huge pride in a sense of place, of who he was and where he was from. His majestic talent was the catalyst of many a Tipperary victory and to him Tipperary will forever be deeply indebted. On behalf of Tipperary County Board we extend our heartfelt condolences to the extended Doyle family on the sad passing of their beloved Jimmy”.
Jimmy Doyle – Roll of Honour
6 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Medals
1958, ’61, ’62 (captain), ’64, ’65 (captain), ’71
9 Munster Senior Hurling Medals
1958, ’60, ’61, ’62 (captain), ’64, ‘65 (captain), ’67, ’68, ’71
7 National Hurling League Medals
1957, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’64, ’65 (captain), ’68
3 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Medals
1955, ’56, ’57 (captain)
4 Munster Minor Hurling Medals
1954, ’55, ’56, ’57 (captain)
8 Railway Cup Hurling Medals
1958, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’63 (captain), ’66 (captain), ’69, ’70
10 Tipperary County Senior Hurling Medals ~ Thurles Sarsfields
1956, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64 (captain), ’65, ’74 (captain)
13 Mid Tipperary Senior Hurling Medals
1956-’64, ’68, ’69, ’73, ’74
4 County Minor Hurling Medals
1954, ’55, ’56, ’57
2 County Junior Hurling Medals
1955, ’56
1 County Senior Football Medal
1960
1 Dr. Harty Cup Hurling Medal ~ Thurles CBS
1956
7 Oireachtas Medals
1960, ’61, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’68, ’70
Right Full-Forward on the Hurling Team of the Century
1984
Right Full-Forward on the Hurling Team of the Millennium
2000
Right Half-Forward on the Tipperary Hurling Team of the Millennium
1999
Texaco Hurler of the Year
1965
Farewell To A Legend
(A Tribute To Jimmy Doyle)
Many years have passed by since I was a lad
When great heroes of sport did abound
Like the Rackards Pat Stakelum and “Ringey”
And Mick Mackey that hurler so sound.
All these stalwarts of old those great masters
Did grace the green swards of their time
But one man stood out from them all for me
That man was the great Jimmy Doyle
He’s gone to his resting place now my friends
That stickman of such great renown
Who was nurtured when young by the great Thurles Sars’
But is sadly no longer around
In the fifties and sixties could anyone match
This true artist with skills so sublime
There were many who claimed he was best for them all
Our famed hero the great Jimmy Doyle
He won four County Minors with Sarsfields
And three minor All Irelands, some feat
He also won ten County Seniors
This man wouldn’t hear of defeat
Seven national leagues and eight Railway Cups
In a list that’s as long as a mile
That included six All Ireland medals as well
All won by the great Jimmy Doyle
He hadn’t the physical prowess of Mackey
Or the sheer lightening speed of Ring
But neither of these could match Jimmy Doyle
When it came to his breathtaking skill
Great defenders all tried to derail him
To see if his powers they could foil
But I never saw anyone achieve that tough feat
While marking the great Jimmy Doyle
He captained Tipperary to glory
In sixty two and again sixty five
He stated that these were his proudest of days
When he raised the MacCarthy Cup high
He never once hit a foul dirty stroke
A true sportsman through all of that time
What a worthy ambassador for our great hurling game
That true craftsman, our own Jimmy Doyle
Right full forward on the team of the century
And on the millennium team as well
This legend of the game we’ll never forget
When tales of great sportsmen we tell
There are still some great hurlers on view today
Many brilliant young men of great guile
But I don’t think there’s anyone better
Than that artist supreme Jimmy Doyle
Now Jimmy’s’ achievements were many
To write down them all would take time
And I’ve covered a lot of them anyway
So I’ll give it a break for a while
I know that he was a most affable man
Always good for a chat and a smile
A gentleman perfect whether on field or off
So I’m told was the great Jimmy Doyle
Now alas he’s been called to his eternal abode
To that great hurling pitch in the sky
And if any defenders have made it up there
They’ll be greeting him with a sad sigh
“We weren’t doing too badly up until now
We kept the score down for a while”
“But just look who St.Peter is letting in now
Oh my God it’s the great Jimmy Doyle!”
Joe Tobin,
C.J Kickhams, Mullinahone
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam; the #GAA world & @TipperaryGAA praise the late great, Jimmy Doyle http://t.co/qpxDrkztB6 pic.twitter.com/B2dfADFbaZ
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 23, 2015
Jimmy Doyle, 1939-2015, RIP pic.twitter.com/tJLrnrK5Qs
— Tipp Supporters Club (@TippSupporters) June 22, 2015
RIP Jimmy Doyle. A true Tipperary legend who will never be forgotten.
— Brendan Maher (@BennyMaher) June 22, 2015
Tipp has lost one of its great hurling legends. RIP Jimmy Doyle, a real gentleman. Sympathies to family and friends @TipperaryGAA
— Brendan Cummins (@BrenCummins1) June 22, 2015
Tipperary hurling legend Jimmy Doyle has passed away http://t.co/zwq73JMhrb pic.twitter.com/WuSjHCe0el
— The42.ie GAA (@The42GAA) June 22, 2015
Tipperary legend Jimmy Doyle passes away | http://t.co/b37nBDPecN (DOD) pic.twitter.com/vmaoTIZdJX
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) June 22, 2015
Tipperary hurling great Jimmy Doyle passes away: The death has been announced of the legendary Tipperary hurle… http://t.co/8yhlH7Jugi
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) June 22, 2015
7 March 2010; Jimmy Doyle RIP who won 3 minor All-Irelands and 6 Snr titles for Tipperary. #Legend #CapturingHistory pic.twitter.com/GxSO8bULuZ
— Ray McManus (@Sportsfileray) June 22, 2015
Very sad news about Jimmy Doyle May he rest on peace One of the all time greats Also on our Hall of Fame list #TippAbú
— Tipp Association Dub (@TippAssocDublin) June 22, 2015
It was with great regret that we learned of the passing of the great Jimmy Doyle. Winner of 6 All Ireland titles and a gentleman. RIP
— Tipp FM Sport (@TippFMSport) June 22, 2015
By Jonathan Cullen Sun 28th Jun
