RIP PHILIP DOYLE: The journey to the 2013 Grand Slam and *that* nightmare train to Pau episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 29, 2026 · 36 MIN

RIP PHILIP DOYLE: The journey to the 2013 Grand Slam and *that* nightmare train to Pau

from OTB Rugby

Former Ireland women's rugby head coach Philip Doyle died on Friday aged 61.Doyle, affectionately known as 'Goose', had two spells as head coach of the Ireland women’s team, initially from 2003 to 2006, before returning to the role in 2010.It was in this second period in charge that Ireland enjoyed their greatest success, winning the Grand Slam in 2013, and sealing the title with a 6-3 win against Italy in Milan.While they finished third in the 2014 championship, Doyle’s Ireland team achieved further history at that year’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals.The high point of that World Cup was a 17-14 win against the defending champions the Black Ferns, becoming the first ever Ireland international side to defeat New Zealand, with tries for Heather O’Brien and Alison Miller, and seven points from the boot of Niamh Briggs, sealing the famous win.Doyle stepped down as head coach after that fourth-place World Cup finish, with Tom Tierney taking over as Ireland won another Six Nations title in 2015.And here is Doyle speaking to our own Cameron Hill about his life in rugby back in April of this year. Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

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RIP PHILIP DOYLE: The journey to the 2013 Grand Slam and *that* nightmare train to Pau

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