Ireland and Lions winger Mick Lane dies aged 99

Mick Lane, who had been Ireland’s oldest surviving Lion, has died at the age of 99.

The former UCC and Ireland wing passed away peacefully at his home in Cork City on Sunday. 

A student of CBC Cork, Lane made his international debut for Ireland in 1947 and was capped 17 times across six years, during a career in which he also played with the Lions on the 1950 Tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Lane, Lion #329, made 11 appearances on that tour, scoring five tries and playing a single Test against both Australia and the All Blacks. 

He also represented the Barbarians.

More recently, he was inducted into the Rugby Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame in 2011.

Lane ended his playing career with Dolphin and Cork club posted a glowing tribute to their former player on their website.

The post read: It is with deep regret we learned of the death of our former member, Mick Lane, who had been for many years, the oldest living British & Irish Lion.

“Mick made his international debut for Ireland when in UCC, against Wales in March 1947 in the then Five Nations Championship. 

"He missed out on the 1948 Grand Slam through injury. He was back for all four of Ireland’s matches in the 1949 Championship. 

"They retained the Championship and the Triple Crown, narrowly missing out on back to back Grand Slams.

“Another highlight for 1949 was his only appearance for the Barbarians during the Easter Tour against Cardiff, also scoring a try.

“He played for Dolphin for just two seasons, at the end of the 1954-55 season both he and fellow B & I Lions player J S McCarthy retired.

“He found himself opposite Jim Kiernan in December 1954 when playing for Dolphin v UCC in the Cork Charity Cup final. 

"Dolphin led 3-0 until seven minutes to go when Kiernan put over an equalising penalty from near the side-line, 35 yards out. 

"The Cork Examiner reported an unusual event, when the equalising kick went over, one of the College players fainted with excitement, but was able to continue. 

"Dolphin won the replay.” 

His funeral mass will take place this Friday (November 14) at 11am in the Church of the Real Presence, Curraheen Road, Cork City while UCC will honour their former player the following day at their annual Colours Lunch ahead of the AIL Division 1B fixture against Queen’s University Belfast.