Ryan, Shane
February 20, 2005
The Late Shane Ryan
Belmont GAA Club
Shane Ryan - An Appreciation
The Belmont club and the wider community is in mourning after the tragic passing of one of our finest members, Shane Ryan, in motoring accident.
Having just recently been honoured with the Offaly Intermediate Hurler of the Year award, on the same night as he got engaged to his girlfriend Ann-Marie, Shane was as one observer put it, 'larger than life.'
Just recently he attended our AGM and he was looking forward to playing senior hurling this year. Shane was going to be our captain as he was a leader and an inspirational figure on the field.
Not many people go through their lives being known by their christian name only, but mention the name Shane around this area and everybody knew it was the one and only Shane Ryan - a legend in his short lifetime, like his idol Roy Keane.
A fun-loving, out-going, obliging, courageous, generous and caring gentlemen - the list of adjectives to describe Shane could go on and on. Shane's career on the playing fields was wide and varied; he was a talented hurler, footballer and rugby player.
He played Minor Football and Hurling for Ferbane/Belmont; U21 football for Ferbane; Senior Football for both Ferbane and Belmont; Junior, Intermediate and Senior Football and Hurling for Belmont; Vocational Hurling and Football, Minor, U21 Football and Hurling, Senior Football for Offaly and Rugby for Ballinasloe and Buccaneers. He also represented Ireland in U-17 compromise rules.
His achievements off the pitch were every bit as noteworthy with Shane being the consummate achiever with a great will to succeed at whatever task was at hand. Testimony to the man's popularity was seen with the largest gathering at High Street Church and Cemetery for Shane's Funeral that was ever recalled in this parish.
Our deepest sympathies are extended to Shane's parents, Liam and Chris, his brothers Cathal, Aidan and Diarmuid, his sisters Niamh, Aoife and Cliodhna and his fiancee Ann-Marie. Goodbye Shane and God bless. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh A Anam Dilis.
Shane - A Tribute
The game of hurling has survived in the Moystown area for a century or so. It was therefore automatic that Shane and his brothers would be immersed in the tradition from as soon as they could hold a hurley.
Real honour might be slow to come but 2004 saw the Belmont Club achieve outstanding success in the Intermediate Championship with Shane being one of the Kingpins.
Energetic, determined, committed with the ability to bring colleagues to a higher level, as the club graduated to senior status, Shane was completely involved with club officials and team mates to set in motion a proper approach to the new challenge that lay ahead.
His death sent shock waves, not alone through the parish but also the much wider area where hurling and sportsmen meet. A world of promise snuffed out in one tragic occurrence. Shane, you're gone but you'll never be forgotten.
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune
11th February 2005
Most Read Stories