The Late Michael Ryan The death has occurred at the Mater Private Hospital of the popular Johnstown man Michael Ryan. Michael, who lived in Clontarf in Dublin for the last 52 years had been unwell since Christmas and passed away peacefully surrounded by his much loved family; wife Kathleen, children Valerie, Ivan, Joseph, Brian, Fiona and Catherine. Some people achieve great success in sport and others contribute much. Michael Ryan is one of those few really great sportsmen who have done both. Born in Donoughmore, Johnstown, his first career was in the army. His first love on the sports field was athletics. Between 1940 and 1951 he won numerous titles at 440 yards, 880 yards and cross-country. He was the winner of the "Guinness" 880 yards in 1946 and 1951. He was also the All-Army 880 yards champion in 1946 and was on the All-Army winning relay team in 1945, 1946, 1950 and 1951. He played a lot of hurling whilst serving with the army in Dublin and won numerous army titles. He joined the staff of North Strand Vocational School after the army and began another sporting career, in physical education. He was one of those who introduced physical education and physical fitness to the curriculum of secondary schools and to the training programmes of many sporting clubs and teams. Mick has been associated primarily with the GAA. He assisted in the preparation of both the hurling and football teams of St. Vincent's, Dublin in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the trainer of the Dublin Senior Hurling Team from 1957-1964. He ministered to the injuries of the very successful Dublin Senior Football team which won three All-Ireland titles and two National League titles in the 1970s. He was also trainer of the Dublin Senior Football team that played in the National League final in 1967. During his years in the North Strand, he introduced very popular adult fitness classes and promoted the idea of fitness among many vocational groups including the clergy. He also developed coaching courses for the GAA. The Davis Cup tennis benefited from his expertise in 1955. Ladies Basketball is also in his debt. The St. Louis Convents throughout Ireland have played a big part in the promotion of ladies basketball and it was Mick who introduced the pupils of Rathmines, Dundalk, Carrickmacross and Monaghan to the game. Michael was a great believer in education and he never stopped learning. He specialised in treating sports injuries and chiropody. He always remembered his Kilkenny roots and visited home frequently. His copy of the Kilkenny People arrived on the mat every Thursday morning and was read from cover to cover. He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, his 18 devoted grandchildren and great granddaughter. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 28th January 2005 Tweet

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