People from the world of politics and sport, especially his kindred rugby souls, rushed to pay tribute to Mick Doyle, the former Lions and Ireland flanker who went on to coach Leinster and Ireland, the latter to Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship triumphs in 1985.

Trevor Ringland, the former international wing, who played under Doyle during the Triple Crown triumph, recalled him as "a man of great character".

"I will always remember him turning to us before we took to the field before the first match against Scotland in the Triple Crown year saying: 'Boys, I want you to run the ball, and if it doesn't work, I want you to still run it'," said Ringland.

"That was the kind of coach he was. Mick was a motivator. He freed players up. He was inspirational.

"He motivated a group of young players to go out and do their best and we produced some of the best rugby an Irish team has ever produced. He was a great character and a great friend.

"Irish rugby will a lot quieter and duller without Mick Doyle, and I know the Triple Crown side always looked forward to meeting him again at our reunions. Our thoughts go at this terrible time to his wife, Mandy, and his family."

IRFU president John Quilligan reflected: "It is with a great sense of shock and sorrow that I have learned of the death of Mick Doyle. On my own behalf and that of the Irish Rugby Football Union, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to Mandy and all the Doyle family on their tragic loss.

"Mick Doyle leaves an indelible mark on Irish rugby as a player of distinction, having won 20 caps for Ireland between 1965 and 1968 and also as a coach of renown, having led Ireland to Triple Crown victory in 1985.

"More than that, Mick was also a larger-than-life character of great popularity, who will be sorely missed in all rugby circles. May he rest in peace."

The Leinster Branch issued the following short statement: "The Leinster Branch IRFU would like to offer its sincere condolences to the Doyle family and to Mick's many friends throughout Ireland and across the world. Mick was a superb servant to both Leinster and Irish rugby and his tragic passing will touch the hearts of the nation."

FAI chief executive Fran Rooney said: "Mick Doyle was a wonderful player with 20 caps for Ireland to his credit and his many achievements as a coach peaked with the Triple Crown victory in 1985. He was of course an immense character and is a great loss to rugby and Irish life as a whole."

He extended the sympathy of the FAI to Doyle's family and friends on their sudden and tragic loss.

Fellow Kerryman and Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan admitted: "Mick has been a familiar figure in Irish life for 40 years and he will be very sadly missed. A proud Kerryman filled with passion, vision, humour and energy, he was not only a great player and coach, he was a great friend.

"News of his death in a road accident is particularly upsetting in light of his inspiring recovery from a brain haemorrhage, as described in his autobiography, Zero Point One Six: Living in Extra Time. He started his career as a Kerry footballer before his departure into rugby and I have always admired his positive, modern approach to sport.

"His courage and determination, together with his characteristic bluntness and good humour, made him an extremely popular figure in sporting circles and his particular brand of commentary will be a great loss. I wish to express my deepest sympathies to Mick's wife and four children and his many friends."

The Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, too paid tribute to Doyle, saying, "it was with great sadness that I learned this afternoon of the death of my fellow Kerryman, former Ireland rugby player and national coach Mick Doyle," before going on to point out that by winning the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship in 1985 Doyle achieved "iconic status".

"Mick later enjoyed success as a writer as well as an analyst and pundit, and never shied away from speaking his mind. We are much the poorer for his passing."

Ulster Unionist peer, avid rugby supporter and staunch Dungannon RFC man Ken Maginnis described the accident as "a huge tragedy for his family, of course, and our sympathies are very much with them. But the death of Mick Doyle is also a huge tragedy for Irish rugby where over the years he has made a very significant contribution, both as a player and a coach.

"He coached at a time of transition in Irish rugby and achieved quite considerable success. First and foremost he was a club man. He believed in the ethic of club rugby. Mick Doyle will be sadly missed by all his friends who knew him at club level and those at the higher echelons of the sport."