The Leeside legends series: Tom Kieran excelled as a rugby full-back and coach

At the famous Cork Con club, the older members still speak very highly about the contribution that Kiernan made to their great club.

Tom played many tremendous games for his country and so impressed the Lions selectors that he was chosen for the 1962 tour of South Africa. Six years later, he was given the honour to captain the Lions tour again to South Africa.

Four years later, he was hero once again when Ireland won the Triple Crown having benefited again from Tom’s coaching skills.

Tom Kiernan certainly was a man of vision both on and off the field of rugby and the Cork rugby sporting public will always appreciate and salute his huge contribution to the sport.

FACTFILE:
Tom Kiernan won a total of 13 Munster Senior league medals, 10 with Cork Constitution and three with UCC.
He toured South Africa with the Lions in 1962 and in 1968 he captained the Lions when they toured South Africa again.
Tom was the coach of the Munster team that defeated the All Blacks in 1978 in front of 10,000 hysterical fans at Thomond Park.
Tom Kiernan retired from the IRFU in 2001 after an illustrious career in rugby that spanned more than four decades.