He went on to earn the distinction of never being dropped during his 20-cap international career as a flanker. Doyler, as he was affectionately known, scored the winning try against Wales in 1967, toured Australia with Ireland in 1967 and South Africa with the British and Irish Lions the next year.
His last game for Ireland was against Australia in October 1968, when he lined out alongside his brother Tommy.
Coaching
He coached Leinster to Interprovincial Championship success five times between 1979 and 1983 before he succeeded Willie John McBride as Ireland coach during the 1984–85 season. Under Doyle's stewardship in 1985 Ireland won the Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship.
He led Ireland to the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup, but that joy was tinged with sadness as he suffered a heart attack at the opening dinner. He battled illness and adversity and his recovery from a brain problem was chronicled in his book '0.16'.
Media
After retiring from coaching, Doyle became a TV expert on RTÉ television, starting with the 1991 World Cup, and continuing both on live coverage and their "Rugby After Dark" Sunday night highlights programme until having to step down through ill-health in the late-90s.
Apart from working in his veterinary practice, he was a regular rugby contributor on RTÉ Radio One in the later years of his life.
Mick Doyle was killed in a car crash in Dungannon on 11 May 2004.
