Former Ireland lock Moss Keane has died aged 62 © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Moss Keane

Teams: Ireland

Legendary Munster and Ireland lock Moss Keane has died aged of 62 following a long battle against cancer.

The former Lansdowne second-row won 51 caps for Ireland between 1974 and 1984, including during their 1982 Triple Crown victory, and also gained a Test cap for the British & Irish Lions on tour to New Zealand in 1977. He became only the third Irish forward to win 50 caps, behind Willie John McBride and Fergus Slattery.

In 1978 Keane was part of the Munster side that famously beat New Zealand 12-0 at Thomond Park - to date the only victory by an Irish side over the All Blacks.

"Quite simply Irish rugby has lost one of its most genuine characters and legends of the game," Irish Rugby Football Union president Caleb Powell said. "Moss had ability on the field that no-one could doubt from his record at club, provincial and international level.

"Lansdowne, Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions all benefited from his presence and ensured that his reputation will live long in the memories of not only Irish rugby, but world rugby."

During his youth Keane had been a devotee of Gaelic football, starring for University College Cork and winning the prestigious Sigerson Cup - the highest level of University competition.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen continued the tributes to Keane.

"I am saddened to learn today of the untimely passing of Moss Keane, who was one of the great gentlemen of Irish sport," Cowen said.

"He will be sadly missed by his many fans and admirers across the sporting world. Moss Keane was one of the finest rugby players Ireland has ever produced.

"He was among rugby's best-known characters and a legend of the game at home and abroad, representing Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions with great distinction. He was also an accomplished Gaelic footballer in his younger days.

"Moss will, of course, always be associated with the heroic Munster side of 1978 that defeated the All Blacks at Thomond Park.

"Moss's loss will be felt most deeply by those who knew him best. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Moss's family, his wife Anne, daughters Sarah and Anne Marie, and his friends."

Mayor of Tralee Arthur Spring added: "The word legend is often bandied about, but in the case of Moss it is a tribute that was well and truly deserved."

Lifelong friend and former All-Ireland Kerry footballer Jimmy Deenihan, now Fine Gael's sports spokesman, said it was a sad day for all involved in sport, particularly in Kerry.

"It is no exaggeration to say that Moss was one of the best-known Kerrymen of his generation and he retained a deep affection for Currow, where he was born," he said. "I remember well the Munster final of 1977 when the Kerry team of which I was a member beat Cork.

"He demonstrated his deep affection for his home county when he said, while on tour with the Lions, that the highlight of the tour was 'when I heard that Kerry beat Cork'."

Munster confirmed a minute's silence will be held in memory of Keane when the Irish province travel to face London Irish in their opening Heineken Cup fixture on Saturday.