- Date of Birth26 / 11 / 1926
- Died26 / 04 / 2009
- Lions Tours1950
- International CapsIreland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsBelvedere College Dublin
- Lions Origin ClubsOld Belvedere, New Ross, Barbarians
Karl Mullen’s Grand-Slam winning heroics earned him the captaincy for the 1950 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand and Australia.
Old Belvedere hooker Karl Mullen was one of eight of Ireland’s 1948 heroes who survived to see Brian O’Driscoll’s men clinch a first clean sweep in 61 years.
Mullen racked up 25 caps and was well-regarded for his leadership, legendary stand-off Jack Kyle said of him: “Karl was very unassuming, and certainly did not push his weight around when he was captain.
"He was quietly authoritative and a superb technical player."
Though Mullen’s record of three Test losses and one draw in New Zealand is not outstanding, he is remembered as one of the finest leaders in Lions history. His squad is frequently regaled for its amiability and is arguably the most popular to ever tour New Zealand.
What’s more, they finished their Tour with two wins over Australia in Brisbane and Sydney.