Twitter reacts: Stars pay tribute to Kildare legend Johnny Doyle
The news last night of Johnny Doyle’s retirement from inter-county football was greeted with a predictable wave of tributes from those in the GAA community; lauding his footballing prowess and off-field persona in equal measure.
Stars of gaelic football took to Twitter to extend their congratulations to the Allenwood man.
Fellow lilywhite legend Dermot Earley described him as “the very best” and remarked that it was a sad day for Kildare GAA.
The best don't come around too often. Johnny Doyle was one of the very best. It's a sad day for @KildareGAA. What a man and what a career!
— Dermot Earley (@dermotearley) April 6, 2014
Newbridge Sarsfields succinctly summed up some of the reasons Doyle was so well loved and respected throughout the country.
67 consecutive cham starts across 13 yrs, never missed a champ game, scored in 50 consecutive cham games well done Johnny Doyle Sash GAA
— sashgaa (@SashGAA) April 6, 2014
Another recently retired Kildare stalwart echoed those sentiments in paying tribute to a man he played alongside for 14 seasons.
Was an honour to soldier with Johnny Doyle for 14 years! True legend on and off the pitch. One of the All Time greats in my opinion!
— Ronan Sweeney (@Roli100) April 6, 2014
One amazing stat re Johnny Doyle's career. He played EVERY club championship since 97 and EVERY championship game for Kildare since 2000
— Ronan Sweeney (@Roli100) April 6, 2014
Other luminaries of the football world, past and present, also took to social media in honour of one of Kildare’s finest, as you can see below.
'Go as hard as you can for as long as you can'! Embodied by a great GAA servant and one that will be surely missed #JohnnyDoyle
— D Clerkin (@clerkin_d) April 6, 2014
Johnny Doyle - what a player.Skill, commitment and enormous service for Kildare. Happy retirement. #truegent
— colm cooper (@colmcooper13) April 6, 2014
Best wishes to Johnny Doyle in his retirement from football. He was some footballer. #legend #classplayer
— Colm O Neill (@crossbar13) April 6, 2014
Best of luck to Johnny Doyle on retirement..had many a great battle against him..great lad who played it honest & true at all times
— Anthony Moyles (@moylesiea) April 6, 2014
Best wishes to Johnny Doyle in retirement, great athlete& footballer & absolute gent! #Measmór
— Ciarán Kilkenny (@CKKilkenny93) April 6, 2014
The side’s current sponsors Brady Family Ham also got in on the action with this tribute.
Best wishes to @KildareGAA legend Johnny Doyle in retirement. 14 heroic seasons with the Lilywhites. Hamazing! #GAA pic.twitter.com/d3u3AmcZhB
— Brady Family (@bradyfamilyham) April 7, 2014
Doyle’s last involvement for the Lilywhite’s was a ten-minute cameo in yesterday’s 1-22 to 0-9 win over Westmeath – his second such substitute appearance of the season.
