Ryan, Philip 'Sonny'
July 25, 20131924 - 2013
The death occurred last week of one of Coolderry's and Offaly's most famous sons, Philip, better known to all as Sonny, Ryan. Sonny had a long and distinguished career with both Cooldeny and Offaly. He made his senior debut for Cooldeny hurlers as an 18 year old, in the 1943 Championship, soon establishing himself as a permanent member of the senior side and for the next 20 years was almost a constant holder of the Number 6 jersey. A natural centre-back he possessed great speed and ball control and this allied to his long range free taking ability, made him one of the great centre backs of his era.
It was no co-incidence that the arrival of Sonny Ryan on the scene coincided with Coolderry's most dominant and successful period in the club's long and illustrious history. During the 19 year period 1945 to 1963
Coolderry contested 13 Offaly Senior hurling finals winning eight, and Sonny was centre back on almost all occasions. He missed the 1959 replay against Tullamore, which Coolderry lost, and won his eighth
medal as a substitute in 1963 as Coolderry completed their first three-in-a-row in over 60 years when they defeated Drumcullen 4-7 to 3-4.
The Midland Tribune reporting on the 1962 County Final in which Coolderry defeated Drumcullen 2-12 to 1-5 described Sonny's performance as follows 'Sonny Ryan has played many outstanding games during his lengthy career in the club colours, but he can seldom have been better than he was on Sunday. He ruled the roost completely in his centre back position and probably it was largely due to his untiring efforts that the Drumcullen attack never even looked like getting into its stride'.
This period of dominance for Coolderry was also the era when the famous rivalry between Coolderry and Drumcullen was as its peak. Of the 13 finals in which Sonny featured eight were against the wearers of The Sash, with Coolderry winning five to Drumcullen's three. While the rivalry between these two great clubs, on the field, was to say the least intense, off the field they held each other in mutual respect. This was evidenced on Wednesday morning as two great rivals of Sonny's, Drumcullen's Mick and Pat Spain joined with Coolderry players, of that era, in the guard of honour, outside Shinrone Church, as Sonny's remains headed for their final resting place in Ettagh Cemetery.
Sonny's performance for Coolderry in the 1940's soon gained recognition at county level and during the late 1940' and early 50's he was a regular on the Offaly Senior team, again holding down the centre-back
position. Sonny played his last Championship game for Offaly, wearing the Number 6 jersey, against Westmeath, in Cusack Park, Mullingar on April 24th 1955.
When his playing days were over Sonny took a keen interest in all aspects of Coolderry and Offaly GAA activities attending games all over the country, right up until the time of his death. In later years Sonny lived in Shinrone and with three sons involved, in that club, he took an active role in their hurling lives and for a period was a selector with the Shinrone senior hurling team.
In 2001 he was honoured by Offaly GAA with a Shean Gael Award for his dedicated service to Cumann Luthcleas Gael. He was also inducted into the Offaly Hurlers Golfing Society's Hall of Fame in recent years.
At the time of his death Sonny was a very popular Joint President of Coolderry GAA club.
Always a team player, this quiet unassuming man, was regarded as one of the great gentlemen of hurling and the esteem with which he was held, by the people of Coolderry and Shinrone GAA clubs and those from surrounding clubs, was evident by the large turnout of mourners at his funeral on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning last.
Sonny is survived by his wife Sara, sons Philip, Liam and Eugene, daughters Kathleen and Eileen, sisters, extended family and a large circle of relatives and friends.
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Courtesy of the Midland Tribune. Tweet
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