- Born 12 July 1907
- Died May 1978, Belfast
- Educated Campbell College; Queen's University, Belfast
- Debut 24 July 1930 v Sir Julian Cahn's XI at Ormeau
- Cap Number 372
- Style Right hand batsman, right arm medium
- Teams Queen's University, Holywood
David Kyle, tall slimly built and fair haired, was a good bowler who was a mainstay of the Holywood attack for much of the 1930s. Like several others, he was probably worth more than his sole Irish cap in what was not exactly a vintage era for Irish cricket. He was also, as he proved on his one outing for the national side, a more than useful tail end batsman.
At Campbell College - always to be found among Ireland's leading cricket schools - he was two years in the XI, meeting with considerable success. In 1925 he took 36 wickets at 15.08, while the following season, though he was not quite so successful, saw him take 24 at 16.33. He had the ill luck to play for Holywood at a time when the club was not at its strongest. There were, besides David, several other very good players, such as all-rounder Jack Cardy and the legendary captain George Reid who once, or so it is claimed, hit a ball as far as Bangor. He did, it seems, have some help from the Belfast and County Down Railway! However such heroics did not prevent Holywood exiting the NCU Challenge Cup at the first round stage with depressing regularity during the decade. David, together with Cardy and Reid, was often one of the defeated side to gain some prominence.
Thus in 1931, having dismissed City of Derry for 145, with David and Cardy each taking two wickets cheaply, they were then bowled out for 119. David topscored with 35 supported by Reid with a typical 22 but the bowling of Willie McGarvey and Bertie McClelland was enough to secure the North Westerners a victory. The following season saw another disappointing batting performance with Instonians dismissing Holywood for 68. David then made their task difficult taking 3-17 but the Old Boys got home by 4 wickets. David was again prominent in a losing cause against Donacloney in 1938. The village side posted 259 including 29 from a young all-rounder called Lloyd Armstrong - David having three wickets and Reid four, each at a cost of 78. However they failed to reach the required total, going down by 82 runs.
His one match for Ireland had come against Sir Julien Cahn's XI at Ormeau in July 1930. This was the second of two matches Ireland played that season against the millionaire furniture magnate's powerful side and two almost completely different teams were fielded by the hosts. The sides elected for the Ormeau match was clearly chosen with a local gate in mind and included six debutants from the NCU area, including David. Of the six only Lisburn paceman Tommy Martin played again. Batting first Ireland were hustled out for 98 mostly by leg spinner Tom Richmond who had played one Test for England against Warwick Armstrong's all powerful Australian side nine years earlier. David was among his first innings haul of 6-41 as Ireland collapsed. Cahn's XI replied with 269, Martin with 6-91 bowling superbly. David was the next most successful bowler but his two wickets cost 79 runs. He had Hertfordshire all-rounder Robert Cowle leg before then clean bowled occasional Middlesex paceman Ray Munt. Batting again Ireland were in imminent danger of an innings defeat until David at 10 joined fellow debutant Stanley Watson. They put on 57 for the 9th wicket before Watson was out for 55 leg before to Sir Julian a purveyor of very slow donkey drops. . David soon followed him bowled by Munt for 33 but the innings defeat had been avoided. However Cahn's side won by 10 wickets.
David Moore Kyle did not play for Ireland again but, as we have seen, was to be a valued member of the Holywood side throughout the decade.
It will be seen from the above that we lack several details about David Moore Kyle, in particular about his occupation and exact date of death. We would be very grateful for any information about these.