James 'Chick' Doyle

J.P. 'Chick' Doyle
Doyle in 1963
Personal information
BornJames Patrick Doyle
12 April 1930, Dublin, Ireland
Died21 May 1985 (aged 55), Dublin, Ireland
Sport
CountryIreland
SportBadminton

James Patrick 'Chick' Doyle was an Irish badminton player and coach. He was coached by Frank Peard and won eleven Irish National Badminton Championships titles in men's singles and doubles in the period 1954–1964.[1]

Early and personal life

Chick Doyle was born to Edward James ("Jimmy") Doyle, an employee of the Dublin Gas Company, and Josephine Doyle (née McNamara) in April 1930. Reputedly the name 'Chick' was attributed to his time working as a chicken sexer in Australia, though this is apocryphal.[2]

He was the eldest of three siblings. His sister Ursula Doyle (born 1931), was a child performer, later actress, stage director and second wife of Jimmy O'Dea,[3][4] and his brother Noel Doyle (born 1932), was also a child performer and entertainer before emigrating to Canada.[5][6] In 1958 Doyle married Marie Clarke.[7] They had four children.[8] Besides his playing ability, Doyle was noted in badminton circles for his humour and enthusiasm, as well as his teetotalism, being a non-smoker and propensity for motion sickness.[2]

His daughter Elaine Doyle[9] was capped fifteen times for Ireland and won a Ladies doubles Irish National Badminton Championships title in 1986.[1][10][11][12] Elaine married Limerick hurler Shane Fitzgibbon in 1991.[13] Their son, Doyle's grandson, John Fitzgibbon also played intercounty hurling for Limerick.[14]

Playing career

With the encouragement of his father, Doyle began playing in the Dublin Gas Company club where his talent was recognised by Geoff Trapnell, reportedly putting in six hours practice per day.[6][2] By 1948 was playing league badminton with the club.[15] In that same year he first appeared playing at national tournaments. The Irish Times reports of the Irish Close Badminton tournament of December 1948 lists Doyle as losing in the first round of the senior men's singles to Frank Peard[16] and competing unsuccessfully in a number of junior events.[17][18] As well as being a player, Peard was instrumental in implementing intensive coaching schemes which Doyle benefitted from.[19] Doyle's playing career progressed rapidly and by December 1949 he was playing for the Midland (now Leinster) branch interprovincial team at the age of nineteen.[20]

Doyle was first called up to the Ireland national badminton team for their match against Scotland in 1951 and would continue to be selected for Ireland up to 1964.[21][22] He played thirty times for Ireland.[23] 1951 also saw Doyle first reach the final of the men's singles in the Irish National Badminton Championships, with Frank Peard beating his protégé in three sets.[24] In 1952 he emigrated to Australia.[25] Doyle continued his playing career in Australia in 1952 and 1953, playing for the Victoria state badminton team and competing in the Australian National Badminton Championships, where he was a runner up in the men's doubles in 1952.[26][27][28] He placed seventh in the 1952 Australian men's singles rankings.[29] He subsequently returned to Ireland. 1955 saw Doyle emerge as winner of the men's singles in the Scottish Open tournament and in 1956, he went on to win the men's singles in the Irish Open tournament. Doyle maintained his dominance in Irish men's badminton until 1961, when for the first time in a decade he lost to another Irish player, Lennox Robinson, at an interprovincial tournament.[30]

Over the course of his playing career, Doyle achieved an unprecedented eight consecutive title wins in men's singles at the Irish National Badminton Championships,[31] a feat equaled only by Irish Olympian professional badminton player Scott Evans in 2012.[32] Doyle and Evans are second only to Michael Watt in total Irish men's singles title wins, with Watt achieving a record ten non-consecutive men's singles Irish titles as a player.[31] Doyle's style of play was described as a mixture of good footwork, the use of varying strokes and the ability to deceive opponents.[2]

Later life

Following his retirement from playing, Doyle took up coaching and administration. In 1960, he was listed among the Midland Branch 'Entertainment' committee members.[33] By 1968 he was serving on Midland branch executive committee[34] and was president of the Leinster branch of the Badminton Union of Ireland from 1973 to 1978.[23] In 1976, he became a partner in the Great Outdoors sports shop in Dublin, where he opened the Chick Doyle racquet shop.[35] By 1980, Doyle was a Vice President of the Badminton Union of Ireland.[36] He died of heart related health problems in 1985.

Achievements

Irish National Badminton Championships

J.P. "Chick" Doyle, Irish Badminton Champion with trophies (late 1950s)

Doyle's playing record in the Irish Close championships.[1][a]

Men's Singles

Year Event Result Opponent
1948Men's singlesFirst roundFrank Peard
1952Men's singlesRunner UpFrank Peard
1954Men's singlesWinnerFrank Peard[37]
1955Men's singlesWinnerFrank Peard[38]
1956Men's singlesWinnerCharles McCormack[39]
1957Men's singlesWinnerFrank Peard[40]
1958Men's singlesWinnerRobert Harris[41]
1959Men's singlesWinnerGeorge Henderson[42]
1960Men's singlesWinnerFrank Cinnamond[43]
1961Men's singlesWinnerRobert Harris[44]
1962Men's singlesSemi finalWinston Wilkinson[45]
1964Men's singlesRunner UpRobert Harris[46]
1965Men's singlesRunner UpRobert Harris[47]

Men's Doubles

Year Event Result Partner
1952Men's doublesRunner UpDesmond Lacey
1954Men's doublesRunner Up[48]Desmond Lacey
1955Men's doublesRunner Up[38]Desmond Lacey
1956Men's doublesWinnerDesmond Lacey
1957Men's doublesRunner Up[40]Desmond Lacey
1960Men's doublesRunner Up[43]Kenneth Carlisle
1961Men's doublesRunner Up[44]Charlie McCormack
1963Men's doublesWinnerWinston Wilkinson
1964Men's doublesWinnerWinston Wilkinson

Mixed Doubles

Year Event Result Partner
1956Mixed doublesRunner Up[49]D. Kilbride
1957Mixed doublesSemi final[40]Mary O'Sullivan
1959Mixed doublesRunner Up[42]Mary O'Sullivan
1961Mixed doublesRunner Up[44]Susan Peard

Irish provincial competitions

Ulster Open[b]

Year Event Result Partner
1951Men's singlesRunner Up[50]-
1952Men's singlesWinner[51]-
1952Men's doublesRunner Up[51]Desmond Lacey
1953Men's singlesWinner[52]-
1953Mixed doublesWinner[52]D. Kilbride
1954Men's singlesWinner[53]-
1954Men's doublesWinner[53]Desmond Lacey
1956Men's singlesWinner[54]-
1956Mixed doublesWinner[54]D. Kilbride
1957Men's singlesWinner[55]-
1958Men's singlesWinner[56]-
1958Men's doublesWinner[56]Charles McCormack
1959Men's singlesSemi final[57]-
1959Men's doublesWinner[57]Charles McCormack
1959Mixed doublesWinner[57]Yvonne Kelly
1960Men's singlesWinner[58]-

Leinster Close[c]

Year Event Result Partner
1949Men's singlesSemi final[59]-
1950Men's singlesSecond round[60]-
1950Men's DoublesWinner[61]Geoff Trapnell
1950Mixed DoublesSemi final[62]V. Gillespie
1951Men's singlesRunner Up[63]-
1954Men's singlesWinner[64]-
1955Men's singlesRunner Up[65]-
1955Men's doublesRunner Up[65]Desmond Lacey
1956Men's singlesWinner[66]-
1956Men's doublesWinner[66]Desmond Lacey
1956Mixed doublesRunner Up[66]D. Kilbride
1957Men's singlesWinner[67]-
1957Men's doublesWinner[67]Desmond Lacey
1957Mixed doublesWinner[67]Mary O'Sullivan
1958Mixed doublesWinner[68]Mary O'Sullivan
1959Men's singlesWinner[69]-
1965Mixed doublesWinner[70]Yvonne Kelly
1966Men's doublesWinner[71]Robert Harris

Leinster Open

Year Event Result Partner
1955Men's singlesWinner[72]-
1955Men's doublesSemi final[72]Desmond Lacey
1955Mixed doublesSemi final[72]D. Kilbride

Appearances in other competitions

Year Competition Event Result Partner
1952All England Badminton ChampionshipsMen's singlesRound of 32-
1955All England Badminton ChampionshipsMen's singlesRound of 32-
1955Scottish OpenMen's singlesWinner-
1955Welsh InternationalMen's singlesWinner-
1955Welsh InternationalMen's doublesWinnerDesmond Lacey
1956Irish OpenMen's singlesWinner-
1959Scottish OpenMen's singlesRunner Up[73]-
1960All England Badminton ChampionshipsMen's singlesRound of 32-
1960Irish OpenMen's singlesSemi final[74]-
1961Scottish OpenMen's singlesThird round[75]-
1962Irish OpenMen's singlesQuarter final[76]-
1964Irish OpenMen's singlesSecond round[77]-
1964Irish OpenMen's doublesFirst round[77]D.W. McCullough

Notes

  1. ↑ During this time period, the Irish National Badminton Championships were known as the Irish Close Championships, and took place each December for the year following. Therefore, the 1951 finals were played in December 1950, etc.
  2. ↑ There was no Ulster Open held in 1955.
  3. ↑ formerly the Midland branch.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Irish National Badminton Championships". badmintoneurope.com. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Davis, Pat (1987). The Encyclopaedia of Badminton. London: Robert Hale. p. 42. ISBN 0-7090-2796-6.
  3. ↑ "Ursula Doyle dies, aged 65". The Irish Times. 7 January 1997.
  4. ↑ "Jimmy O'Dea weds: crowd at wrong church". Belfast Telegraph. 24 September 1959.
  5. ↑ "Dublin Girls Find Gaiety And Tragedy At Panto Time". Dublin Evening Mail. 21 December 1957.
  6. 1 2 Peard, Frank (15 June 1985). "Chick Doyle An Appreciation". The Irish Times.
  7. ↑ "Weddings". The Irish Times. 8 September 1958.
  8. ↑ "The death has occurred of Marie Doyle (née Clarke)". rip.ie. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Two doubles for Doyles". The Irish Times. 1 January 1983.
  10. ↑ "Coaching for Irish squads starts this weekend". The Evening Herald. 18 December 1979.
  11. ↑ "Irish Cap For Elaine Doyle". The Irish Press. 11 September 1984.
  12. ↑ "International call up for Adare woman". Limerick Leader. 12 April 2008.
  13. ↑ "County Notes". Limerick Leader. 4 May 1991.
  14. ↑ "Fitzgibbon keeps Ardscoil alive". The Irish Times. 1 March 2010.
  15. ↑ "Senior Badminton League Result". The Irish Times. 14 December 1948.
  16. ↑ "Irish Close Badminton". The Irish Times. 7 December 1948.
  17. ↑ "Good Progress In Badminton Championship". The Irish Times. 9 December 1948.
  18. ↑ "Badminton Finals To-night". The Irish Times. 11 December 1948.
  19. ↑ McWeeney, Vera (11 November 1971). "Peerless Peard Bows Out". The Irish Times.
  20. ↑ "Badminton Notes". Dublin Evening Mail. 3 January 1951.
  21. ↑ "Much Activity in Ulster". The Badminton Gazette. January 1950.
  22. ↑ "Doyle bows out". The Irish Times. 22 December 1964.
  23. 1 2 "Sudden death of J.P. Doyle". The Irish Times. 23 May 1985.
  24. ↑ "Irish Close Badminton Titles". The Irish Times. 10 December 1951.
  25. ↑ "Irish Badminton Loss". The Irish Times. 2 April 1952.
  26. ↑ "Brilliant display by exhibition players". The Riverine Herald. 22 August 1952.
  27. ↑ "Badminton to Victoria". The Mercury. 13 September 1952.
  28. ↑ "Full Weekend Sporting Details". The Argus. 22 September 1952.
  29. ↑ "Aust. badminton rankings". Advocate. 9 October 1952.
  30. ↑ "Doyle's defeat was sad blow to Midland Branch". The Irish Times. 24 November 1961.
  31. 1 2 "Senior Nationals entering its 105th year". Badminton Ireland. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "Men's Singles National Winners". Badminton Ireland. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  33. ↑ "Badminton Officers". The Irish Times. 10 August 1960.
  34. ↑ McWeeney, Vera (27 September 1968). "Significant changes in ranking order". The Irish Times.
  35. ↑ "Badminton Round-up". The Evening Herald. 25 November 1976.
  36. ↑ "Social sport". Evening Herald. 26 March 1980.
  37. ↑ "Badminton Title for Doyle". Sunday Independent. 20 December 1953.
  38. 1 2 "Badminton Title for J.P. Doyle". Sunday Independent. 5 December 1954.
  39. ↑ "Irish Close titles". Belfast Newsletter. 12 December 1955.
  40. 1 2 3 "J.P. Doyle Retains Badminton Title". Sunday Independent. 16 December 1956.
  41. ↑ "Doyle's fifth Badminton title in a row". Sunday Independent. 15 December 1957.
  42. 1 2 "Irish Badminton Championships". The Irish News. 15 December 1958.
  43. 1 2 "Irish Badminton Championships". The Evening Echo. 14 December 1959.
  44. 1 2 3 "Doyle's eighth Close title". Sunday Independent. 11 December 1961.
  45. ↑ "Great doubles partnership". The Irish Times. 9 December 1961.
  46. ↑ "Badminton Title for Harris". Sunday Independent. 15 December 1963.
  47. ↑ "Harris again Close champion". Irish Independent. 14 December 1964.
  48. ↑ "Badminton title for Doyle". Sunday Independent. 20 December 1953.
  49. ↑ "Irish Close Titles". Belfast Newsletter. 12 December 1955.
  50. ↑ "Badminton Championship". The Irish News. 16 January 1951.
  51. 1 2 "Diplock beaten in final". Belfast Newsletter. 14 January 1952.
  52. 1 2 "Eire players dominate N.I. championships". Belfast Newsletter. 23 November 1953.
  53. 1 2 "Ulster Badminton Championships". The Irish News. 22 November 1954.
  54. 1 2 "Doyle wins Ulster badminton championship". Belfast Newsletter. 30 January 1956.
  55. ↑ "Doyle wins Ulster senior title". Belfast Newsletter. 25 November 1957.
  56. 1 2 "Results of Ulster Badminton Championships". 1 December 1958.
  57. 1 2 3 "Lancashire player is Ulster champion". 23 November 1959.
  58. ↑ "Title for Doyle". Sunday Independent. 20 November 1960.
  59. ↑ "Badminton Tests' Final Stages". Sunday Independent. 2 April 1949.
  60. ↑ "Peard's Easy Victory Over Doyle". Irish Independent. 24 March 1950.
  61. ↑ "Badminton Finals To-night". Irish Independent. 27 March 1950.
  62. ↑ "Badminton Finals To-night". Irish Independent. 25 March 1950.
  63. ↑ "Mrs. Donaldson and F. Peard Sweep Board". Sunday Independent. 1 April 1951.
  64. ↑ "Badminton Deciders". Sunday Independent. 2 May 1954.
  65. 1 2 "Great doubles badminton match". Sunday Independent. 1 May 1955.
  66. 1 2 3 "J.P. Doyle takes badminton title". Sunday Independent. 22 April 1956.
  67. 1 2 3 "Badminton Titles for Doyle and Miss Kelly". Sunday Independent. 28 April 1957.
  68. ↑ "Good Double For Mary". The Irish Press. 28 April 1957.
  69. ↑ "J.P. Doyle Retains Badminton Title". Sunday Independent. 18 April 1959.
  70. ↑ "Doyle and Miss Kelly have badminton doubles". Irish Independent. 12 April 1965.
  71. ↑ "Leinster Badminton Finals Disappoint". The Irish Press. 28 April 1966.
  72. 1 2 3 "Another badminton win for J.P. Doyle". Sunday Independent. 16 October 1955.
  73. ↑ "Irish players beaten in Edinburgh". Belfast Newsletter. 19 January 1959.
  74. ↑ "Three Scots reach semi-finals". The Irish Times. 20 February 1960.
  75. ↑ "Varied luck for Irish". The Irish Times. 21 January 1961.
  76. ↑ "Scots dominate Irish badminton tests". The Irish Times. 17 February 1962.
  77. 1 2 "Mrs Hashman out on her own". The Irish Times. 15 February 1964.
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