Ken Kennedy, a Lion whose impact on top sport lasted a lifetime

Peter Jackson

The Lions have lost another of their Invincibles in former Ireland hooker Ken Kennedy.

His sudden death at the age of 81 on holiday in Connemara follows those of six others from the unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa: Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Sandy Carmichael, Andy Ripley, Mervyn Davies and Gordon Brown.

An orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Kennedy’s impact on international sport lasted long beyond his retirement from the rugby field. His patients included the Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar whose status as the world’s leading run-maker in Test cricket owes much to Kennedy’s skill.

Tendulkar began beating a regular path to the Irishman’s Harley Street clinic at the age of 26 amid fears of back trouble forcing him into premature retirement.

“The modern treatment has worked well and I don’t have to wear a strap,” he said in 1999. “Being a sportsman, the doctor had some knowledge of cricket. He analysed my whole game.”

Over the course of a distinguished medical career, Dr Kennedy treated a veritable who’s who from elite sport, Olympic athletes, boxers, golfers and tennis champions.