Tom Kiernan RIP – ‘A Career Without Equal’
Coach Tom Kiernan during Ireland's 1982 Triple Crown-winning season ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Tom Kiernan, one of the true legends of Irish Rugby, has sadly passed away at the age of 83.
The Cork Constitution and UCC stalwart has left an indelible mark on the game at every level as a player, coach and administrator.
Kiernan won 54 caps for Ireland and played five times for the British & Irish Lions, amassing points and scoring records along the way.
On his retirement, the wily full-back, known as ‘the Grey Fox’, was Ireland’s most-capped player. He captained his country 24 times, including the famous 10-all draw with New Zealand, and was Ireland’s record points scorer with 158.
Amongst many great days, Kiernan kicked the winning score the first time Ireland beat South Africa in 1965, captained the first Ireland team to win a Test in Australia in 1967, and was full-back on the first Munster team to defeat Australia the same year.
As a coach Kiernan was in charge of the Munster team that recorded that historic win over the All Blacks in 1978. He went on to coach Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1982.
As an administrator he served with distinction as President of the Munster Branch, President of the IRFU, Honorary Treasurer of the International Rugby Board (World Rugby), and Director of the Rugby World Cup in 1999, to name just a few of his roles.
He was an influential and much heralded Chairman of the Five Nations and was a key figure in the formation of the European Rugby Cup, steering it through the early days after it was launched.
Irish Times rugby writer Edmund van Esbeck summed up Kiernan’s legacy thus:
“His career has been without parallel in the history of the game in this country. What he has given to the game — not just here but globally. It could be said that in every facet of the game that he embraced he made a profound impact.
“…Kiernan’s place at the pinnacle of Irish rugby will not depend on tradition, legend, hearsay, or deception or exaggerated claims. The facts speak for themselves, for his has been a career without equal in the history of Irish rugby.”
IRFU President Des Kavanagh offered his condolences on behalf of the IRFU and the rugby community, stating:
It is with great sadness that I pass on condolences to the Kiernan family, on the passing of their beloved Tom, on behalf of everyone in Irish Rugby.
“Tom was an inspirational leader both on and off the pitch and he helped to shape rugby into the strong and vibrant game it is today.
“Tom’s life will be reflected upon at our matches this weekend, and his legacy will live long in the history of Irish rugby, may he rest in peace.”