Tipperary bids a sad and final farewell to a ‘star on and off the pitch’

There was an outpouring of love, profound sorrow, and respect shown in Clonmel today as the community gathered to comfort a bereaved family and pay their respects to Philly Ryan, who passed away suddenly last Saturday.

The impact of the loss of such a much-loved family man and GAA stalwart was evident among the huge crowds who came out to mourn and show solidarity with the Ryan family.

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A powerful outpouring of deep affection for Philly Ryan began as heartbroken neighbours gave a moving farewell with a guard of honour as the cortege left the family home at Tivoli Heights in Clonmel on Wednesday afternoon.

Devastated players, past and present of Tipperary and Clonmel Commercials, proudly wearing club and county colours, provided a guard of honour at the church and through the streets of the town as they accompanied a beloved mentor, teammate, friend, and colleague to his final resting place at St Patrick’s Cemetery in Clonmel.

Philly Ryan is survived by his wife Anna, daughters Ami and Katie, son Shane, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and his grandniece Tierna. Mourners were told that Philly had brought great love, laughter, and joy to the lives of his family, the extended family, friends, and neighbours.

Among the mourners were the GAA President Jarlath Burns and former Dublin county football manager Jim Gavin, as well as GAA people from clubs from all over the county and beyond.

At the funeral mass in Ss Peter & Paul’s in Clonmel on Wednesday afternoon, emotional tributes were paid by his three children, Ami, Katie, and son Shane, who described Philly as ‘My hero, best friend, and my Dad.’

Shane, who proudly wears the same Tipperary senior footballers goalie jersey as his father did for many years with great distinction, said Philly Ryan was a name that would never be forgotten by the Clonmel Commercials and Tipperary footballing families.

He said his father had coached him since the age of 6 to the present day and told mourners how Philly pulled him off the field by the scruff of the neck when he was 6 years old in a blitz against Moyle Rovers.

Shane said his father was a massive fan of Leeds United, and it was the following words of the Leeds song Marching on Together that were so appropriate today - ‘We’ve been through it all together, and we’ve had our ups and downs, We’re gonna stay with you forever, at least until the world stops going round.’

Ami told mourners that her father's life changed forever the day he met Anna.

“They were best friends for 35 years and did everything together. Their love was one of a kind. We were so lucky to grow up in the house that we did,’ said Ami.

In a tribute to her father, Katie said that Philly was their ‘greatest love and now our greatest heartbreak.’

Father Deo Mayanja told mourners at Ss Peter & Paul’s Church that Philly Ryan loved his family, who came first; he was very proud of them, he was extremely loyal and faithful, and he put others to the fore. He was a kind person who made a valuable contribution to his community, to society, and to the nation. He loved fun, was a great neighbour and friend.

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Fr Mayanja said Philly was talented, knowledgeable, and was a dedicated sportsman.

He described Philly as a brilliant team member on and off the field.

‘He played his role, and that is why we celebrate his life with the hope of eternal reward. He was a star on and off the pitch,” said Fr Mayanja.

In a graveside oration, Anthony Shelly,(JK Brackens and Tipperary) said Philly Ryan was one of the most iconic players to wear the Tipperary jersey.

He praised the contribution made by Philly Ryan to sporting life in Tipperary and told the huge crowd standing graveside that ‘we are mourning the loss of a legend. No words can adequately convey our deep sense of sorrow.’