Eamonn Ryan: A lifetime of service as player, coach, manager.
Eamonn Ryan was at the helm when Na Piarsaigh won the club’s maiden Cork SHC title in 1990 before his storied tenure as Cork ladies football manager.
Eamonn Ryan played senior football for Cork between 1963 and 1968 and later returned as Cork manager from 1980-84. As a player, Eamonn lined out at corner and centre forward on Cork’s back-to-back Munster winning teams in 1966 and 1967. The latter campaign saw the county come up three points short to Meath in the All Ireland decider. He’d win two Sigerson Cups with UCC during this period and was captain of the college team that unsuccessfully contested the 1967 county final against Beara. It was to prove one of the few occasions success would elude him on county final day.
The ability to connect with people was commented on last year by Na Piarsaigh’s Bill Kelleher when recalling the club’s maiden Cork SHC title in 1990, a campaign for which Eamonn was the Na Piarsaigh coach. “Eamonn was first class. He had a great attitude with the players and got the best out of them” said Kelleher. He was there again as coach when Na Piarsaigh won a second county championship in 1995 and lent a hand during our all conquering 2004 campaign too.
“What he did for Na Piarsaigh will never be forgotten. A gentleman “tweeted former Na Piarsaigh and Cork hurler John Gardiner.
Eamonn Ryan will never be forgotten in Na Piarsaigh H&F Club. Our thoughts are with his wife Pat and family. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.
