The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, today led tributes by senior politicians and sports figures to former Irish rugby coach Mick Doyle who died tragically today.
The Taoiseach said that Mr Doyle was one of life's natural enthusiasts: "His was a life that was truly lived to the full as a player, captain and coach. He is associated with some of the finest moments in Irish rugby.
"While he is forever associated in the public mind with the Triple Crown, in private he also successfully fought very serious illnesses," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach said: "I know that his tenacity and courage gave heart to many others. Off the sporting field he was a great conversationalist and controversialist," he said.
The Leinster Branch of the IRFU offered its condolences to the Doyle family. A statement read: "Mick was a superb servant to both Leinster and Irish rugby, and his tragic passing will touch the hearts of the nation."
GAA spokesman Mr Danny Lynch said it was tragic that "Doyler" died after he had fought illness so many times. Mr Lynch said: "Mick was I suppose one of those people that was larger than life naturally, and in Kerry one would have thought that he would have gone on forever."
The FAI Chief Executive, Mr Fran Rooney, expressed his shock and sadness at the tragic death of Mr Doyle. "Mick Doyle was a wonderful player with 20 caps for Ireland to his credit and his many achievements as a coach peaked with the Triple Crown victory in 1985," he said.
"He was of course an immense character and is a great loss to rugby and Irish life as a whole."
Mr Rooney extended the sympathy of the FAI to his family and friends on their loss.