Tributes paid to Tipperary GAA manager Philly Ryan after his ‘untimely death’

By David Young, PA

Tributes have been paid to the Tipperary GAA senior football manager, Philly Ryan, after his sudden death on Saturday.

Ryan, who was in his 50s, was a former goalkeeper for the county.

A stalwart of the Clonmel Commercials club, he was appointed manager of his county’s senior football side in August last year.

Tipperary GAA said the county board was “deeply saddened” to announce the “untimely death” of Ryan.

“Philly was a proud Clonmel Commercials clubman, and a stalwart of Tipperary football, both as a player and in his later role as manager and coach. His contribution to Gaelic football in the county was immense, and his loss will be felt deeply across the GAA community,” the board said in a statement.

At club level, Ryan won four Tipperary Senior Football Championship titles as a player. He joined the inter-county panel as a goalkeeper in 1987 and was a member until his retirement in 2003. He captained the county side in 1990 and 1995.

The county board statement added: “Philly’s leadership, genuine commitment and passion for the cause of football in Tipperary were evident both on and off the field. He epitomised the values of dedication, teamwork, and unwavering club-and-county loyalty.

“Under his management, the county football team had shown encouraging signs of progress and ambition.”

Board members extended sympathies to Ryan’s wife Anna, his son Shane, who is Tipperary’s current senior football goalkeeper, and his daughters Amy and Katie.

“The loss of Philly Ryan is a great blow to Tipperary football,” the board added.

“We honour his memory, his service and his love of the game – and we commit to carry forward his legacy of ambition and community spirit.”

Clonmel Commercials described Ryan as a “club legend” whose death had left a “deep void”.

“He brought so much warmth, passion, and dedication to our club and the county,” the club said in a statement.