Former Ireland and Leinster rugby player Willie Duggan has died at the age of 67.
Leinster Rugby released the news on Twitter after Duggan passed away following a suspected heart attack at his home in Dunmore, Co Kilkenny.
“Very sad news from Kilkenny this morning of the passing of Leinster & Ireland Rugby legend Willie Duggan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. #RIP,” read the tweet from Leinster.
The number eight also featured in the Lions 1977 tour to New Zealand and played 41 times for Ireland.
Duggan scored two tries in the Ireland jersey and will also be remembered as the first man ever to be sent off in a Five Nations game when both he and Wales’ Geoff Wheel were dismissed following a punch-up during the 1977 clash.
Duggan finished his career in 1984 as Ireland captain and worked in Kilkenny where he ran the lighting shop that he took over from his father.
A character of the game he was known as being a heavy smoker even during his playing days and once, when running onto the pitch ahead of a clash with France, passed the cigarette he had been holding to referee Allan Hosie.
Duggan’s former Leinster, Ireland and Lions team-mate Philip Orr - now president of the Irish Rugby Football Union - said Duggan was “one of the greatest number eights ever to grace a rugby pitch.
“I had the honour and privilege of playing alongside Willie for Leinster, Ireland and the Lions,” continued Orr. “In all jerseys he was a warrior in the finest sense of the word. Always true to his colours, Willie gave 110 per cent on the field.
“But it was not just in terms of his physical presence. Willie had an extraordinary rugby brain and had an uncanny ability to see problems and opportunities on the field well ahead of team-mates and opposition alike.”
While Leinster CEO Mick Dawson reacted to the news, saying: “I knew Willie personally and he was a larger than life character and it’s very difficult news to digest this morning. My thoughts are with his wife Ellen, Willie Jnr, Helena and Monica and his extended family.
“As a rugby player he was tough as nails, a real competitor that represented his club, his country and of course the British & Irish Lions with great distinction.
“In later years he was synonymous with Kilkenny RFC but of course before that he was a Blackrock man. Willie wore every jersey with huge pride.
“Playing for as long as he did with those teams leaves a legacy and his is of a gentleman, a great family man and friend and of a warrior when on the pitch. He’ll be sadly missed but what wonderful memories he has left us with.”
