Jimmy Doyle - Early Life

Early Life

Jimmy Doyle was born in Thurles, County Tipperary in 1939. Growing up just around the corner from Thurles Sportsfield, one of the premier venues for Munster hurlers and now known as Semple Stadium, his family had a strong association with the game of hurling. Doyle's father Gerry, a shoe repairer by trade, had been the substitute goalkeeper on the Tipperary's team that won the 1937 and 1945 All-Ireland titles. His uncle was the famous Tommy Doyle, winner of five All-Ireland medals with Tipperary in the 1940s and 1950s.

Doyle was educated locally at the Christian Brothers school in Thurles; however, he had few academic leanings and virtually no interest in school. His mother would do his homework for him while Doyle practiced his hurling skills with his sheepdog in the shadow of the famous Thurles Sportsfield. It was with his dog that Doyle learned the basic skills of hurling and, in particular, the need to control the sliotar. It was with Thurles CBS that Doyle first tasted success as a hurler, winning their first Dr. Harty Cup in 1956.