John Doyle’s legacy perpetuated with new Munster Minor Hurling trophy

By Michael Dundon

In a glittering inter-county hurling career that spanned eighteen years, John Doyle won every honour the game had to offer, including eight senior All-Ireland medals and ten Munster medals with Tipperary. Last week another accolade was accorded the Tipperary hurling legend as the new Munster Minor Hurling Championship trophy, the John Doyle Cup, was formally presented by the Doyle family to the Munster Council, in memory of their late father.

It was a most fitting presentation. In recent years, giants of the hurling game have had their names perpetuated by the dedication of national trophies to their memory. The Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Lory Meagher, & Nicky Rackard Cups all spring to mind and are prized trophies for the successful counties at national level while Limerick great Mick Mackey had the Munster senior trophy rededicated in his memory last year. Now, the name of late John Doyle, who passed away in 2010, a colossus in the Tipperary defence from his senior debut as a nineteen-year-old in 1949 up to his retirement after the 1967 All-Ireland defeat by Kilkenny, sits comfortably among those iconic figures.

A belated recognition of the Holycross/Ballycahill clubman’s place in the annals of hurling, some might say, but most apt that it should be for an underage championship in that he was three-years a county minor, 1946-48, winning, an All-Ireland in 47, and Munster medals in 46 & 47. He was also selected on the Hurling Teams of the Century and of the Millenium. When his playing career ended, he continued his deep commitment to Gaelic games as chairperson of his home club, and later long-serving Central Council representative for Tipperary. The GAA centre in Holycross-Ballycahill club grounds is also dedicated to his memory – a reflection too of the place he held in the hearts of his own people.

Appropriately too, the function at the Horse & Jockey Hotel last week at which the presentation of the magnificent new trophy took place, was graced by huge turn-out of GAA dignitaries, including President Jarlath Burns; Patron of the GAA, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly; Munster Council Chairperson, Templederry clubman Ger Ryan; Tipperary Chairperson Jimmy Minogue; Chairman of Holycross/Ballycahill GAA Club, Micheal Lowry; and representatives of all the Munster counties.

MC for the occasion was John Doyle’s grandson, Conor, one of the games most promising upcoming inter-county referees, who spoke of the great honour it was for the family to see his grandfather honoured in such a way.

The new trophy, which replaces the TWA Cup which had been awarded to the Munster minor hurling champions since 1946, was accepted by the Munster Council on the proposal of Tipperary County Board and will be presented for the first time this year. It was formally blessed by Archbishop O‘Reilly and Holycross chairperson Micheal Lowry spoke of the pride in the parish at seeing John Doyle honoured in such a fashion as he had been the bedrock of everything positive that had happened in the club down the years.

Long-time friend Tim Comerford said all in Holycross were so proud of John Doyle’s achievements. He recalled that John intended retiring after the 1958 All-Ireland success, with four medals, but was persuaded to stay on, winning another four in the sixties. He referred to his involvement in the establishment of the centre in Holycross and added: “he instilled a pride in all of us for our parish, and his spirit and legacy lives on to this day.”

County Chairperson Jimmy Minogue said the word “legend” rests easily on John Doyle and he went on the acknowledge the contribution the Holycross club had made to the games right up to the present day referencing players, and administrators such as Michael Maher, the Stakelum’s, John Ryan, Michael Lowry, Cathal Barrett, present minor hurling captain Cathal O’Reilly and John’s own sons, Johnny & Michael. He added that the name of John Doyle deserved to be remembered.

Munster Council Chairperson Ger Ryan thanked the Doyle family for the trophy, adding that it was wonderful to see somebody as famous and well-known honoured in such a fashion.

“The name of John Doyle is synonymous with hurling folklore as one of the legends of the game and it is only fitting that a cup for as prestigious a competition as the Munster minor hurling championship be named in his honour,” he said.

He thanked Tipperary County Board for proposing the initiative and the other Munster counties for supporting it. He acknowledged the important role TWA played in presenting the cup which was in being since 1946.

GAA President Jarlath Burns, in congratulating Tipperary on its contribution to the GAA, said that remembering people is something the GAA does really well. The GAA is about communities and communities are about people. John Doyle, he said “epitomised how ordinary people became extraordinary when they had a hurley and a sliotar in their hands. Young people all over the country are tonight training to try to win the John Doyle Cup- what a marvellous legacy,” he added.

Johnny Doyle, son of the late John Doyle, said it was a proud an emotional occasion for the family to have their father honoured and he thanked the Munster Council for giving them the opportunity to do so. He outlined his father’s career and went on the stress the part his late mother, Ann, played in his father’s success. He hoped that next month the cup honouring a Tipp man, will be presented by a Tipp man (Ger Ryan) to a young Tipperary captain, who comes from the parish of Holycross (Cathal O’Reilly, Tipp minor hurling captain).

Holycross’ Mark O’Gorman and his musical friends opened proceedings with a rendition of Slievenamon and concluded them with the Ballad of John Doyle.