AndyMulligan

Andy Mulligan has a prominent position in British & Irish Lions folklore. He may have started just one Test, but it was his vision that created Tony O’Reilly’s clinching try in the final Test on the 1959 Lions Tour to New Zealand.

A Cambridge Blue, he captained Ireland three times between 1956 and 1961 on his way to winning 22 caps and broke convention by doubling up as both rugby player and journalist.

He started his first Ireland Test alongside legendary fly-half Jack Kyle and in 1958, he was part of the first Irish side to beat Australia, winning 9-6 at Lansdowne Road in 1958 – it was also the first time an Irish side had defeated a southern hemisphere touring side.

Though the 1959 Lions swept to a 2-0 Test series win in Australia, they met a different challenge that year in New Zealand and losing 3-0 going into the final Test, it was a Mulligan moment of magic that ensured they did not leave empty-handed.