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‘A unique sportsman’: Rugby great O'Reilly dies
TRIBUTES have poured in for Ireland and British and Irish Lions great Tony O’Reilly, who has died at the age of 88.
O’Reilly died in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin on Saturday.
In a statement, O’Reilly’s family said: “As well as to his extraordinary philanthropic vision which was best evidenced by the establishment of the Ireland Funds at a dark time in this island’s history.
“But, for us, he was a dearly loved dad and a granddad.
“He lived one of the great lives and we were fortunate to spend time with him in recent weeks as that great life drew to a close.”
Born in Dublin in 1936, O’Reilly made his international debut for Ireland in rugby in 1955 and soon became the youngest player to be selected for the Lions.
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