Ballymena athletics coach Sean Kyle dies aged 88

Local athletics coach Sean Kyle has died at the age of 88 after a long illness.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Nov 2015, 14:57 BST
The late Sean Kyle (right) with his wife Maeve.The late Sean Kyle (right) with his wife Maeve.
The late Sean Kyle (right) with his wife Maeve.

Sean along with his wife, the Olympic athlete Maeve, set up the Ballymena & Antrim club in 1955 and helped guide a host of top local athletes.

Kyle met his wife, then an Ireland hockey player, in 1953 and within three years, under his guidance, she had become an Olympic sprinter.

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Middle distance specialist Kyle coached a host of international athletes including the likes of Mark Kirk, James McIlroy, Sean O’Neill and Eddie King.

Both Kyles continued to coach international athletes well into their seventies with the emergence of the Paul Brizzel, Anna Boyle and John McAdorey.

Athletics officials from throughout the island of Island and further afield have expressed condolences to Maeve Kyle and her family following the news.

“Athletics Northern Ireland are very sorry to hear about the death of Sean Kyle, Ballymena & Antrim AC. Thoughts are with the family at this sad time,” said the sport’s local governing body.

Related topics:BallymenaAntrim