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Tom Ryan RIP
02 November 2012
TOM RYAN late of Tutestown, Dunamaggin died peacefully on Monday 10th September after a long illness. He is survived by his son, John, and daughters, Siobhan and Regina, in-law’s, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Tom who worked in the machinery section of Kilkenny County Council until his retirement and was a great G.A.A. man.
Tom’s medal collection started early when in 1945 Tom won a NKSL school medal when P. McLoughlin was principal in Dunnamaggin and this was his most prized medal. He was the only Dunnamaggin player on the team that won such medals.
Tom’s hurling prominence really came to light when occupying a corner forward berth on the last Carrickshock team to win a Kilkenny Senior Championship in 1951. He went on then to win Leinster Junior titles with Kilkenny in 1951, 1956, 1958 and 1967. He also won All-Ireland Junior Honours with Kilkenny in 1951 and 1956. He later played with his native parish Dunnamaggin winning a Southern Junior Title with Dunnamaggin in 1966. The team were beaten in the County Junior Final. In 1978 Tom and his son John were the wing backs on theDunnamaggin team with Malachy Hogan in the centre.
Tom's greatest contribution to the GAA is probably as a coach. Tom coached Shamrocks (Ballyhale) to their first Kilkenny Senior Championship in 1978. He was on the line for the Shamrocks for subsequent SHC wins in 1978,1979,80, 82 and 83, Leinster titles in 1979, 1981 and 1984 and All Ireland Titles in 1981 and 1984.In 1995 he trained Glenmore to County and Leinster titles.
Tom switched codes in 1985 taking charge of the Kilkenny Senior Camogie team and at the same time trained the Shamrock’s to not only County but also All-Ireland Club glory. Kilkenny’s dominance in the ensuing decade was credited to Tom's shrewd hurling brain and affable nature. He trained the Kilkenny Senior Camogie team to 7 All-Ireland titles in a row from 1985 – 1991 inclusive and 1994 with his son John beside him as a selector, 6 National League titles in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993.He also trained Freshford to win 3 county titles.
Tom's analysis of players and teams was always fair and the brand of Hurling played by his teams was never less than attractive. One of the enduring memories of the man would have to be his full participation in a series of drills with a Junior Camogie Team at his old club Carrickshock when in his late seventies. Doing was always the best mode of instruction for Tom. Where he led others followed.
Having hurled for Dunamaggin and Carrickshock the colours of both clubs and of Kilkenny draped his coffin. He had a great love of gardening. His wife Carmel preceded him by almost 4 years. May he rest in peace.