Born in Thurles, Co. Tipperary on the 20th of March 1939, Jimmy grew up near to Thurles Sportsfield, now Semple Stadium.
Following in the footsteps of his late father Gerry, Jimmy began his hurling career in goal where he won his first Munster Minor medal for Tipperary in 1954.
Having lost the All-Ireland final to Dublin, Jimmy had his mind made up goals was no longer for him. In one of many golden spells, Jimmy won his first of three All-Ireland Minor Medals the next year in 1955 following up in ’56 and as captain in ’57.
At the same time with his beloved Thurles Sarsfields Club he collected four county minor hurling titles from ’54 to ’57 as well as a Dr. Harty Cup Medal with Thurles C.B.S. in ’56.
Indeed such was his prowess, Jimmy was already a star on the Tipperary Senior team by the time his Minor career had ended.
His dedication to honing his skills in the shadow of Thurles Sportsfield proved to be Thurles Sarsfields' and Tipperary’s gain as this natural hurling genius developed his craft.
With an unerring eye and wrists of a craftsman, the hours of practice that Doyle put in proved crucial in many an opponent’s heart being broken for both club and county.
His senior career with Tipperary started with a debut in the 1957/58 National League and continued up until his retirement after the 1973 Championship. In what was a hugely successful period for Tipperary Hurling, Jimmy played a lead role as part of successful Tipperary teams. In that time he won six All-Ireland Senior Hurling medals, nine Munster Hurling medals and seven National Hurling League medals.
Jimmy also captained the team to All-Ireland victory in 1962 and 1965 and was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.
He went on to win eight Railway Cup medals with Munster, while at club level he won 10 Tipperary County Championship medals with Thurles Sarsfields.
In all Jimmy Doyle made 39 Championship appearances for Tipperary and was top scorer for the Championship in 1958, ’60, ’61, ’62 and ’64. By the time his retirement came round, he was Tipperary's all-time top scorer with a career tally of 18 goals and 176 points.
This was a record which stood until 2007 when Eoin Kelly edged out in front.
Jimmy was named as the GAA’s Hurling Right Full-Forward on the Team of the Century in 1984 and was named in the same position on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.
He was named at Right Half-Forward on the Tipperary Team of the Millennium in 1999.
Ahead of all of these he was Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1965.
Thurles Town Council paid tribute to Jimmy Doyle as they officially opened the “Jimmy Doyle Road” in his honour in 2012, a road many a supporter now travels on their way to Semple Stadium.
Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late Jimmy Doyle on hearing of his untimely passing, saying: “The name of Jimmy Doyle will never and should never be forgotten. He was the ultimate sticks-man, a master of his craft not alone of his own age but for all ages. He inspired countless hurlers who wanted to be Jimmy Doyle and who craved the genius he bore with such humility and grace.
“Tipperary and Thurles has lost one of its greatest sons the likes of whom we may never witness again. As Tipperary County Chairman, I am privileged to have known Jimmy Doyle, a man of immense hurling ability, who held a huge pride in a sense of place, of who he was and where he was from. His majestic talent was the catalyst of many a Tipperary victory and to him Tipperary will forever be deeply indebted. On behalf of Tipperary County Board we extend our heartfelt condolences to the extended Doyle family on the sad passing of their beloved Jimmy.”
Jimmy Doyle – Roll of Honour
6 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Medals
1958, ’61, ’62 (captain), ’64, ’65 (captain), ’71
9 Munster Senior Hurling Medals
1958, ’60, ’61, ’62 (captain), ’64, ‘65 (captain), ’67, ’68, ’71
7 National Hurling League Medals
1957, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’64, ’65 (captain), ’68
3 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Medals
1955, ’56, ’57 (captain)
4 Munster Minor Hurling Medals
1954, ’55, ’56, ’57 (captain)
8 Railway Cup Hurling Medals
1958, ’59, ’60, ’61, ’63 (captain), ’66 (captain), ’69, ’70
10 Tipperary County Senior Hurling Medals ~ Thurles Sarsfields
1956, ’57, ’58, ’59, ’61, ’62, ’63, ’64 (captain), ’65, ’74 (captain)
13 Mid Tipperary Senior Hurling Medals
1956-’64, ’68, ’69, ’73, ’74
4 County Minor Hurling Medals
1954, ’55, ’56, ’57
2 County Junior Hurling Medals
1955, ’56
1 County Senior Football Medal
1960
1 Dr. Harty Cup Hurling Medal ~ Thurles CBS
1956
7 Oireachtas Medals
1960, ’61, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’68, ’70
Right Full-Forward on the Hurling Team of the Century
1984
Right Full-Forward on the Hurling Team of the Millennium
2000
Right Half-Forward on the Tipperary Hurling Team of the Millennium
1999
Texaco Hurler of the Year
1965
