The death has taken place of an Offaly football hero from the early '60s. Sean Ryan, Portarlington and formerly of Ballinahown, died suddenly last week and there was a huge crowd at his removal and funeral.

An institution in Portarlington where he operated a tyre and car repair shop in the square, he was a member of the great Offaly football team in the early '60s.
A powerfully strong midfielder, he played an important role on the Offaly team that won the Leinster Senior Football Championship for the first time in 1960 and retained it a year later when they reached the All-Ireland final for the first time only to be beaten by Down in front of a record crowd in Croke Park.

He won two Leinster senior football colleges medals with St Mel's College in Longford in the 1950s and played his club football with Doon and later with St Monica's in London where he was employed by Aer Lingus.
A hugely popular man, sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, children and extended family and friends.

- Courtesy of Midland Tribune, 8th March 2012 Tweet

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