- Date of Birth12 / 12 / 1884
- Died15 / 05 / 1928
- Lions Tours1910
- International CapsIreland / Lions
- Lions Origin SchoolsBallymena Academy
- Lions Origin ClubsUlster, Malone, Barbarians, Newport
The 1910 British & Irish Lions Tour captain Dr Tommy Smyth was a fearsome prop, who – like the great Willie John McBride – was educated at Ballymena Academy.
Smyth’s finest moment in his 14 Ireland caps came when he charged down a Frank Stoop kick to score the only points of a 3-0 win against England at Lansdowne Road.
One of history’s few goal-kicking props, Smyth scored five tries in 18 appearances for the Lions and slotted a conversion against Western Provinces Colleges.
He captained the side to a second-Test 8-3 victory against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth.
Smyth played his club rugby for Malone, Newport and was a regular in the Barbarians.