Zero Point One Six

An account of five tumultuous years in the life of Mick Doyle; veterinarian, former Irish and Lions rugby player, coach, media correspondent, husband, father, company chairman and general bon viveur. Only 0.16 per cent of people who suffer a brain haemorrhage make it back whole, the remainder don't survive the trip to hospital. On Sunday 14 July 1996 Mick Doyle was stricken with a massive brain haemorrhage. He spent the next four weeks in a coma, gradually regaining consciousness. With the help of the hospital staff, his wife Mandy and their four children, as well as close family friends, he began the long climb back to recovery. He had to rediscover his balance and then relearn the "art" of placing one foot in front of the other, aided by all the human and mechanical means possible. Mick finally struggled back to normality, or as near to it as possible. He considers himself extremely lucky to be alive. His inspiring story has much to say about the importance of self-motivation and how to cope with the daily trials you encounter on the road to recovery, trials for which few of us are properly equipped.

Mick Doyle's first autobiography Doyler was published in 1991. He is a qualified vet, as well as being an international rugby player and coach. He was a Cambridge Blue, won 30 caps for Ireland and toured South Africa with the 1968 Lions. He coached the Leinster provincial side in the late '70s and early '80s to the most successful era in history. He took over the Ireland coaching job in 1984-5, saw the side win the Triple Crown in his first year. From 1985-7 he toured Japan, New-Zealand and Australia with the team. He is also a contributor for the Irish Rughy Review.