Dr. Karl Mullen, captain of Ireland's 1948 Grand Slam-winning team, has passed away following a long illness.
 
Dr Mullen died on Sunday evening, just weeks after Declan Kidney's Irish team repeated the 1948 feat for only the second time.
 
The 82-year-old was a talented hooker who won 25 international caps, while also leading the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1950.
 
Ireland's Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, said: “Karl Mullen captained the team that won Ireland’s first Grand Slam in 1948. He also captained the British and Irish Lions on their tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1950.
 
"The young courageous Irish player was undeterred by the size of those challenges. Trustworthy and able, this skilled tactician was a team man who had the capacity to bring people together and it will be for the delivery of these key memorable moments in our rugby history that this iconic man of Irish sport will be best remembered."