John Ryan 'a remarkable sporting man' who will be fondly remembered

JOHN Ryan's sporting legacy will live on in the memories of his family, teammates and friends who were involved with the Moyross native throughout his illustrious sporting career spanning over many years. 

A former member of Caledonians football club, Ballynanty Rovers football club, Shannon R.F.C., Thomond R.F.C., Young Munster R.F.C., Treaty Sarsfields G.A.A. Club and Shannon Golf Club, John certainly did it all during his life. 

After passing away peacefully on October 7, John's legacy has now been brought to life through his daughter Michelle Ryan who has spoke to members of many teams and clubs John was previously involved in, with glowing reports of his sporting talent and his vibrant personality coming to the forefront of the stories. 

Tom Cronin gave details of John's incredible rugby career, Tony Williams delved into the history of his GAA life and Tony Fitzgerald went through the archives to find all the information about his soccer career. 

John began his sporting career at the age of 15 with Riverside FC. He progressed quickly in the sport as he was selected by Ireland to play at an underage-level against England in Leicester in 1963, getting his first Irish Cap. 

While making waves in the soccer world John was also winning titles with Treaty Sarsfields GAA collecting two Leader Cup titles with St Munchin's School in 1959 and 1960 before moving on capture back-to-back junior football titles with Treaty Sarsfields. 

This success was put to a halt though in 1964 with John now playing hurling and football for Sarsfields a ban was put on players that played soccer and rugby with John missing out on a few years of playing GAA due to this from 1968 to 1972.

Due this ban John returned his attention to rugby and soccer, beginning his rugby career with Thomond RFC in the mid-1960s. He was an integral member of the club and part of the first Thomond team to win junior championship titles for the club with the double of the Clare Cup and Transfield Cup during the 1968/69 season. 

In 1970, John wanting to play senior rugby swapped the royal blue of Thomond for the black and amber of the cookies when he moved to Young Munster on the south side of the city. John spent six year with Munsters', appearing in many senior cup finals, coming up short on many occasions. He returned to his Thomond roots in 1976 until Shannon RFC persuaded him back onto the senior rugby field.

John was well known for his rugby abilities throughout the city, but Shannon was where he came into his own and really found his flare for the sport. It was with Shannon in 1978 he finally secured a Munster senior cup medal against Garryowen. It was a tense match with both sides qually matche dwith the scoreline throughout the game reflecting this. John stepped up to the mark though and secured the win for Shannon when he scored one of the finest drop goals seen at cup level. 

The ban on players competing in multiple different sports was lifted in 1972, just in time for John to return back to the Sarsfield GAA pitch to win a senior football county final, scoring five points for his side in the win over St Kieran's, 0-8 to 1-4. This victory was the start of the three in-a-row county senior football wins as John also took to the field for the junior hurling side in the club. 

In 1974 John was the stand-out player sending over fabulous scores during many of the games that season. The three in-a-row of county senior football titles and the winning of the county junior hurling championship after 50 years was a pivotal moment for the club with John the making of some of those results.

While winning four county GAA titles John was also trying to balance playing soccer for his beloved Balla Rovers. After his playing days ended after countless seasons playing he went on to manage the team. During his tenure as a coach he brought the team to a junior cup final, narrowly losing out to St Francis, but gaining many local trophies like the Lawson Cup during this period. 

John retired from soccer in 1984, now moving his attention to golf where he represented Shannon golf club at interclub level on many occasions during his 40 year membership, winning the Thomond Cup men's singles match in 1991. 

Speaking on behalf of the family Michelle spoke fondly of her father stating: "Dad was good at every sport he played at all levels and was sought after by many clubs throughout the years.

"He was an amazing person and an even better father as he always encouraged his five children to take part in sports. Our memories as children were always being part of the celebrations and always being around the action."

Most recently John was inducted into the Bally Rovers Hall of Fame in 2019 for his amazing contribution to soccer and the entire club.

John Ryan will be fondly remembered for not only his incredible sporting career, but also his caring nature and overall gentlemanly personality that shone through.