Tom Kiernan
Birth nameThomas Joseph Kiernan
Date of birth(1939-01-07)7 January 1939
Place of birthCork, County Cork, Munster, Ireland
Date of death3 February 2022(2022-02-03) (aged 83)
Notable relative(s)Mike Kiernan (nephew)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1950s–1960
1958–1973
1960–1963
1963–1970s		 Cork Constitution
Munster
UC Cork
Cork Constitution		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1962–1968
1960–1973		 Lions
Ireland		 5
59		 (35)
(158)
Coaching career
Years Team
1978 Munster

Thomas Joseph Kiernan (7 January 1939 – 3 February 2022) was an Ireland international rugby union player.[1] He won 54 caps for Ireland as a full-back between 1960 and 1973 and captained his country 24 times. At the time of his retirement he was Ireland's most-capped player, most experienced captain, and record scorer in internationals with 158 points.[2] He captained the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa, playing in all four internationals against South Africa. His nephew, Mike Kiernan, also played for Ireland and the Lions. Kiernan was also the Munster team coach for their famous victory over the All Blacks in 1978. He received the IRB Distinguished Service Award in 2001.[3] He died on 3 February 2022, at the age of 83.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Decision to jettison Maggs creates problem for backline". Irish Independent. 22 February 2004.
  2. ^ Watterson, Johhny (29 October 2020). "Johnny Watterson: Rugby's centurions really just a modern day concept". Irish Times.
  3. ^ "Wood wins top award". BBC Sport. 12 November 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  4. ^ Thornley, Gerry (3 February 2022). "Irish rugby great Tom Kiernan dies, aged 83". Irish Times. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
Preceded byNoel Murphy Irish national rugby coach 1980–1983 Succeeded byWillie John McBride
Categories