Christy Ryan

Christopher D. Ryan (18 August 1957 – 8 February 2021) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, hurler and coach. As a dual player for club and county, he played in several positions including as a defensive centre-back, in midfield, or as a target man in attack. Ryan has been described as one of Cork's most decorated club players of all time.

Biography Playing career Ryan began his club career at underage level with St Finbarr's, winning minor and under-21 championships across both codes. He was just 18 years of age when he was drafted onto the club's senior teams in 1976 and began the first of seventeen consecutive seasons as a senior dual player. During that time, Ryan lined out in 20 county finals, winning six Cork SHC titles and five Cork SFC. He also won a combined total of six Munster Club Championships and four All-Ireland Club Championships, captaining "the Barr's" footballers to the title in 1980.

After an unsuccessful minor and under-21 career at inter-county level, Ryan joined the Cork senior football team in advance of the 1977-78 league. During a decade-long association with the team he served as captain on two occasions, a position he held for Cork's National League success in 1980 and their Munster Championship victory in 1983. Ryan, who also won a National League title with the Cork senior hurling team, ended his career with an All-Ireland final defeat by Meath in 1987.

Death Ryan died in Glasheen on 8 February 2021, at the age of 63.

Honours St Finbarr's All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1978 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship: 1980 (c), 1981, 1987 Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1978, 1980 Munster Senior Club Football Championship: 1979, 1980 (c), 1982, 1986 Cork Senior Hurling Championship: 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988 Cork Senior Football Championship: 1976, 1979, 1980 (c), 1982, 1985 Cork Under-21 Football Championship: 1977 (c), 1978 (c) Cork Minor Hurling Championship: 1975 Cork Minor Football Championship: 1975

Cork Munster Senior Football Championship: 1983 (c), 1987 National Football League: 1979-80 (c) National Hurling League: 1979-80

Munster Railway Cup: 1981, 1982