By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Sir Anthony O’Reilly, Photo Credit: Irish Independent.
Sir Anthony O’Reilly, the Irish media tycoon and a former rugby international, who first rose to prominence as a record-breaking British and Irish Lions rugby player, died on Saturday at the age of 88.
In a statement, O’Reilly’s family said: “In the coming days, there will be many worthy tributes made to Tony O’Reilly’s unique and extraordinary achievements in the fields of business and sport.”
“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.
The winger played in two Lions tours and still holds the record for the most tries scored with 37.
He also played 29 games for Ireland.
In his business career he pioneered the dairy brand Kerrygold, turning it into one of Ireland’s best-known global consumer brands.
He later became the chairman of the food giant Heinz and in 1973 took control of Independent Newspapers, publisher of the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and Evening Herald.