Former Ireland and Scotland Women head coach Philip “Goose” Doyle has died aged 61, with tributes focusing on one of the defining coaching careers in Irish women’s rugby.
Scottish Rugby confirmed Doyle passed away on Thursday 25 June, calling him a coach who made a major impact after taking charge of Scotland Women in April 2019.
Doyle’s Scotland tenure opened with a first-ever series win in South Africa and included a victory over Spain before his 2020 Women’s Six Nations campaign was disrupted by weather postponements and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why Doyle’s Ireland legacy still carries weight
For Irish rugby, Doyle’s influence runs deeper. He first coached Ireland Women in 2003, returned in 2010 and led the side to the 2013 Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam and Triple Crown.
His peak arrived at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, when Ireland beat the Black Ferns 17-14 in the pool stage. Scottish Rugby noted that result made Ireland Women the first Irish international side to defeat a New Zealand national team.
That achievement still frames modern discussion around Ireland’s women’s programme, including current pieces on Ireland Women’s WXV direction under Scott Bemand.
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm said Doyle was one of rugby’s special characters and credited him with putting faith in her as captain. Scottish Rugby also extended condolences to Doyle’s family and friends.
