William ‘Billy’ McCombe was a star of Irish rugby, remembered for his prolific goal-kicking and unwavering dedication to the sport. Born with an exceptional talent, McCombe played his club rugby with Bangor RFC after honing his skills at Campbell College Belfast and Trinity College Dublin. A natural fly-half, he quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest kickers of his generation.
McCombe’s international career began at just 18 years old when he earned his first cap for Ireland in January 1968, stepping in for the injured Mike Gibson against France. Though Ireland fell 16-6, he scored all their points, a testament to his technical prowess. Despite this promising debut, he had to wait another seven years before securing his place in the Irish squad, displacing Mick Quinn in the 1975 Five Nations. That year, he finished as the tournament’s top point scorer, delivering a standout performance against France with 13 points, and scoring the winning try in their opening victory over England.
At club level, McCombe’s contributions were immense. He joined Bangor RFC in 1971 and captained the team to its first Senior League title in the 1974-75 season. Even in the early 1980s, he occasionally played for the 3rds, and in 1982, he came out of retirement to compete in a prestigious invitational tournament in South Africa.
McCombe’s legacy extends beyond his playing days. His skill as a kicker was widely celebrated, with Trinity professor and former teammate Dr Gerald Morgan describing him as “the sweetest kicker of a rugby ball I have ever seen.” His influence on Dublin University Football Club (DUFC) was profound, and in his first year, he transformed Trinity’s rugby prospects, earning glowing reviews in match reports.
Despite earning just five caps for Ireland and scoring 32 points, McCombe made a lasting impact on Irish rugby. His contributions at both the domestic and international levels played a key role in shaping the game during a crucial period.
Beyond rugby, Billy was a devoted family man. He was the beloved husband of Lynne, a cherished father to James, Michael, and Anna, and a loving grandfather to seven grandchildren.
A private family committal will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Royal Belfast Golf Club on Friday 21st March.
No flowers please. Donations in lieu, if desired, can be made to Dementia NI, NICVA Building, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast BT15 2GB, or via Billy’s MuchLoved tribute page.
Billy will be sadly missed by the wider family circle and by his many friends. The thoughts of the Ulster Rugby community are with the McCombe family at this sad time.
