Tomás Ryan
Encyclopedia
Tomás Ryan is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Iniscarra
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1968 until 1970.
Ryan first tasted success on the hurling field when he captained the Inniscarra minor hurling team to win the Mid Cork Minor hurling championship against Ballincollig in Coachford on a wonderful July evening in 1961.
While Tomas would go on to achieve major success with Cork in the years that followed, this was, in the eyes of Inniscarra folk,his greatest day and Inniscarra hurling men and women from that era will always remember the flame haired dynamo that was Tomasheen Ryan for his heroics on that night.
In 1969 Tomas won a National Hurling League
title with Cork. Later that same year Ryan also added a senior Munster
title to his collection, however, Cork were defeated by Kilkenny
in the subsequent All-Ireland final. 1970 saw Ryan win a second National League title as well as a second consecutive Munster title. A subsequent victory over Wexford
gave him his first All-Ireland
title.
Tomás was probably the greatest player to ever wear the blue and white of Inniscarra
. However, following the split between Dripsey and Inniscarra, Tomás left Inniscarra and is now a central figure in the Dripsey
club. He is the County Board Delegate of the club.
To those who played with him and against him in the sixties and seventies, Tomás will be remembered as one of the greats of Muskerry hurling in the 20th Century. As well as his heroics in the blue and white, his displays against the late Jerry O'Sullivan and Denis O'Riordan of the Glen live in the memories of many.
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Mick Ryan, Tomás was a Fine Gael Councillor on Cork County Councl for many years and served a term as chairman of Cork County Council.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Iniscarra
Inniscarra GAA
Inniscarra GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the parish of Inniscarra, County Cork, Ireland. The club fields Gaelic football, hurling and camogie teams in competitions organized by Cork GAA county board and the Muskerry divsional board....
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1968 until 1970.
Ryan first tasted success on the hurling field when he captained the Inniscarra minor hurling team to win the Mid Cork Minor hurling championship against Ballincollig in Coachford on a wonderful July evening in 1961.
While Tomas would go on to achieve major success with Cork in the years that followed, this was, in the eyes of Inniscarra folk,his greatest day and Inniscarra hurling men and women from that era will always remember the flame haired dynamo that was Tomasheen Ryan for his heroics on that night.
In 1969 Tomas won a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title with Cork. Later that same year Ryan also added a senior Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title to his collection, however, Cork were defeated by Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the subsequent All-Ireland final. 1970 saw Ryan win a second National League title as well as a second consecutive Munster title. A subsequent victory over Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
gave him his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title.
Tomás was probably the greatest player to ever wear the blue and white of Inniscarra
Inniscarra GAA
Inniscarra GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the parish of Inniscarra, County Cork, Ireland. The club fields Gaelic football, hurling and camogie teams in competitions organized by Cork GAA county board and the Muskerry divsional board....
. However, following the split between Dripsey and Inniscarra, Tomás left Inniscarra and is now a central figure in the Dripsey
Dripsey GAA
Dripsey GAA is a Gaelic Football and hurling club based in the village of Dripsey in Cork, Ireland. The club participates in Cork GAA competitions and in Muskerry board competitions.-History:...
club. He is the County Board Delegate of the club.
To those who played with him and against him in the sixties and seventies, Tomás will be remembered as one of the greats of Muskerry hurling in the 20th Century. As well as his heroics in the blue and white, his displays against the late Jerry O'Sullivan and Denis O'Riordan of the Glen live in the memories of many.
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Mick Ryan, Tomás was a Fine Gael Councillor on Cork County Councl for many years and served a term as chairman of Cork County Council.