OBITUARY:FORMER MUNSTER and Ireland outhalf Mick English died yesterday morning, aged 77. Affectionately known as "Mick the Kick" in reference to his prodigious skills with the boot, he won 16 caps for Ireland from 1958 to 1962, a tally that would have been considerably more had he not found himself squeezed between the eras of two of world rugbys greats in Jack Kyle and Mike Gibson.
Educated at Rockwell College, he played initially with Bohemian RFC in Limerick – he won Munster Senior Cups with the Thomond Park club in 1958, 1959 and 1962 – before moving to Dublin to pursue business interests. He joined the Lansdowne club where he won a Leinster Senior Cup (1965) and would eventually go on to become president in the 1989-1990 season.
He played for Munster against three touring sides, Australia (1958), South Africa (1960) and New Zealand (1963) .
He also toured Australia and New Zealand with the 1959 Lions but injury forced him to return home early along with fellow Ireland international Niall Brophy. They elected to return by boat so as to experience a bit more of life.
Noted for his sense of humour, English came up with one of the great rugby-related quotes when discussing an incident during an international against England that led to a try for his opposite number, Phil Horrocks-Taylor. “Horrocks went one way, Taylor the other and I was left holding the bloody hyphen.”
His self-deprecating wit could not camouflage a fine player, one appreciated by his forwards, because of his ability to tackle, amongst other qualities.
He was also something of a drop-goal specialist. The Rugby Writers of Ireland inducted him to the Hall of Fame in 2008 in celebration of his contribution to Irish rugby.
The removal takes place tomorrow from Carnegie Funeral Home in Monkstown to St John the Baptist Church, Blackrock (5pm), and he will be buried at Shanganagh Cemetery on Friday.
He is survived by his wife Pauline, daughter Michelle and sons Conor and John.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
– J O’S
