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Ireland and Lions Rugby legend Tony O’Reilly dies

By PA
Dr Tony O'Reilly, Independent newspapers. Heineken European Cup Quarter Final, Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, Limerick. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE (Photo by Sportsfile/Corbis/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Tributes have flowed for Ireland and British and Irish Lions legend Tony O’Reilly, who passed away at the age of 88.

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Mr O’Reilly, who was also known for being one of Ireland’s leading business figures and a media magnate, died in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin on Saturday.

In a statement, Mr O’Reilly’s family said: “In the coming days, there will be many worthy tributes made to Tony O’Reilly’s unique and extraordinary achievements in the fields of business and sport.

“As well as to his extraordinary philanthropic vision which was best evidenced by the establishment of the Ireland Funds at a dark time in this island’s history.

“But, for us, he was a dearly-loved dad and a granddad.

“He lived one of the great lives and we were fortunate to spend time with him in recent weeks as that great life drew to a close.”

Born in Dublin in 1936, Mr O’Reilly made his international debut for Ireland in rugby in 1955 and soon became the youngest player to be selected for the Lions.

The winger played in two Lions tours and still holds the record for the most tries scored with 37.

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He also played 29 games for Ireland.

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr O’Reilly, saying: “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of Tony O’Reilly.

“Mr O’Reilly was a giant of sport, business and media and left permanent legacies in all three.

“He was a trailblazer who aimed big on the international business scene.”

Mr O’Reilly was knighted in the 2001 New Year Honours by the late Queen Elizabeth II “for long and distinguished service to Northern Ireland”.

In his business career he pioneered the dairy brand Kerrygold, turning it into one of Ireland’s best-known global consumer brands.

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He later became the chairman of the food giant Heinz and in 1973 took control of Independent Newspapers, publisher of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and Evening Herald.

He was also known for his philanthropy, setting up The Ireland Funds, which gave money from US donors into reconciliation projects around the Irish border.

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R
RedWarrior 55 minutes ago
A glut of Lions balances the less than rosy state of the Irish rugby garden

I don’t see how Fanning can accuse Leinster of complacency when they won every match this season bar three. Glasgow hammered Premiership finalists Leicester and then Leinster beat Glasgow 52-0 while not starting Jordie Barrett. Accusations like ‘Arrogance’ sell copy and fuel online engagement but there is little evidence of it with Leinster. Nobody who knows the team makes that claim.

I think a lack of real tests for Leinster either in the URC or in the Champions Cup left vulnerabilities. I think Cullen’s approach to over-resting players before these big matches particularly pivotal decision making positions like full back had a detrimental effect. This has been brought up in previous years. We saw the difference in Leinster playing 3 big matches week on week in the URC final compared to the NH performance.

Massive credit must go to Northampton for analyzing and finding weaknesses, by rolling the dice and playing the full team the week before, and by maximally cashing in when they got their chances. Northampton scored 3 unanswered tries, two of which were against 14 men, and ended up winning by 3. Massive credit must be bestowed on their side of the balance sheet.

I thought Munster finished the season strongly, Ulster are looking better. I agree Connacht underperformed but Lancaster is an exciting prospect. The coaching tickets across all4 provinces are looking good. 13 of Leinsters team against Bulls were originally academy players. I am not really seeing these potholes That Fanning references?

Very important that Leinster beat Bulls and convincingly as a bonus.

Questions that detractors had about Irish front rowers and pace in the backs are starting to be answered.

Ireland need to just maintain a top 4 position before the end of year RWC draw. But a sense that they might be building.


NB* Ireland have lost just 4 matches since the 2023 RWC. Only SA can match that.

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