Former Ireland and Lions captain Dawson dies aged 92

Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Ronnie Dawson has died at the age of 92.

The Dubliner, who represented Ireland 27 times between 1958 and 1965, passed away on Friday after a long illness.

Dawson captained Ireland 11 times and led the Lions on their 1959 tour of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He played in six Tests as Lions captain, a record which was later equalled by Martin Johnson.

As captain on that 1959 tour, the Leinster hooker skippered the Lions to a famous 9-6 win over New Zealand at Eden Park – their only other victory on the ground apart from England’s 1973 success.

Dawson was also appointed assistant manager/coach of the 1968 Lions tour and became the first coach of Ireland in 1969, a role he held for three years.

He also represented the Barbarians 22 times between 1956 and 1965, including their 1957 tour to South Africa.

‘A quintessential leader’

“Ronnie Dawson was an iconic figure in Irish and international rugby, whose impact transcended many eras,” said Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) chief executive Kevin Potts.

“He made significant impressions as a player, coach, manager and administrator for Wanderers, Leinster, the Barbarians, the British & Irish Lions, World Rugby and Ireland.

“He was a quintessential leader and leaves a lasting legacy which will never be forgotten. We extend our sympathies to his daughters Sandra and Jackie, his son Nigel and a very wide circle of family and friends at this sad time.”

After his playing days, Dawson was elected to the IRFU executive committee in 1970 and became IRFU president for the 1989-90 season.

His other roles included being Irish representative on the International Rugby Board (IRB) from 1974 to 1994 and a member of the Rugby World Cup organising committee for the first tournament in 1987.

Dawson’s contribution to the sport was acknowledged by the IRB with the Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service in 2004 before being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2013.