Well-Known Rugby Player Ken Kennedy’s Unexpected Death

It’s with the deepest sadness and a heavy heart we inform you of Ken Kennedy’s death on July 14, 2022, at the age of 81. He was an orthopedic consultant and former British and Irish Lions hooker.

Kenneth William Kennedy, known as Ken Kennedy, was a legend of Irish rugby. He started his professional career as a hooker of the national team for a decade from 1965 to 1975, earning 45 caps and setting the record for selections at his position for a long time.

Ireland’s No.2 for a decade-long stretch, Kennedy, who also turned out for Queen’s, CIYMS, London Irish, and the Barbarians, was the world’s most-capped hooker with 45 Test outings to his name at the time of his retirement in 1975.

Ken kind of grew up in Holywood and had two sisters, in Northern Ireland where Dr. Kennedy became a popular GP after the war. he moved to England and before going to work in private practice in Mayfair, Kennedy worked for the NHS at Guy’s, St Mary Abbot’s, and St Stephen’s hospitals.

Originally Kennedy was from Ulster. Also, he had two tours with the British and Irish Lions. In 1966, it was the first time in Australia and New Zealand that he played four games for the team.

Five years after that, in 1971, the second was in South Africa where he was a replacement for Welshman Bob Windsor. During this tour, he also held the unofficial position of the team doctor.

In 1972, he had the determination to win the Grand Slam in the 6 Nations Tournament but as a result of the Northern Ireland conflict, Wales and Scotland refused to travel to Ireland. Still, in 1973 and 1974, Ken Kennedy won the competition.

The former front-rower also traveled with the invitational side on their 1974 visit to South Africa, without playing in a Test. He became the world’s most capped hooker in 1975 when he made the last of his 45 Ireland appearances.

Kennedy became a doctor after being Educated at Campbell College and Queen’s. Basically, he was a renowned orthopedic doctor, then until 2003, became director of the Royal Star and Garter Hospital in London, before setting up a clinic for injured athletes.

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People’s Reaction to Ken Kennedy’s Death

He was on holiday in Connemara that the news of his death was announced. There is no specific information about the reason behind Ken Kennedy’s death until now.

It must be noted that US day News does not confirm nor reject any of this information about Ken Kennedy’s death. Please let us know if you read incorrect details or learn more information.

His best friend, Stewart McKinney, made a tribute to him and said: “I’ve spoken to Willie John (McBride), Syd Miller, Mike Gibson, so many of the great Lions, and they all said the same thing, that Ken never gets the credit he deserves.”

He also told about a story that when they were in Stranmillis College, they’d hear about this mad Queen’s hooker who hung on the wall bars in the gym for hours at a time and who did yoga which nobody had heard of. It paid off because he was the most wonderful hooker. McKinney remembered that day as the best of their day.

“He was an irascible sort. Ken Kennedy was the most irascible man there was but he was lovely. He was a wonderful man”

Stewart McKinney

Also, he added that some people believed that he was a weird person and that is why he was as good a player as he was. McKinney mentioned that he was a caring friend and every time that he was sick, he would have called him as soon as possible.

On social media, messages of condolences were sent to Ken Kennedy’s family and loved ones. His friends shared their sadness through their Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages. May he rest in peace.

London Irish tweeted: “London Irish is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Doctor Ken Kennedy, who made a great contribution to the Club both as player and coach during the late 1960s and 1970s. Our sympathies are with his wife Farida and sons Patrick and Alexander.”

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