28/11/2014

Rugby Legend Jack Kyle Dies, Aged 88

Jack Kyle OBE, long regarded as one of Ireland's greatest ever rugby players, has died at the age of 88.

In a statement on Friday morning, his family said: "Jack died peacefully in his sleep at home last night, surrounded by close family members."

During his rugby career, the former fly-half played for Ulster, won 46 caps for Ireland and six for the British and Irish Lions. When he retired from the game, he travelled to Chingola in Zambia where he worked for more than 30 years as a consultant surgeon.

He then returned to his native Northern Ireland and spent his retirement in Bryansford, near Newcastle in Co Down.

In 2002, the IRFU named him the greatest ever Irish Rugby player and in 2008, he was inducted into the IRB (International Rugby Board) Hall of Fame.

Mr Kyle was born in Belfast in January 1926. He was educated at Belfast Royal Academy before studying medicine at Queen's University in the city.

(JP)

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