Garrycastle GAA mourns loss of former star Ciarán Ryan
Garrycastle GAA and the wider community is mourning the loss of a hugely popular and dedicated former player, Ciarán Ryan.
Ciarán, who died on Monday after an illness bravely borne, was on the first Garrycastle team to win the Westmeath Senior Football Championship in 2001, when the men in green and red defeated Tyrrellspass in the final.
That Garrycastle team featured the late Enda Mulvihill which means two key figures of a groundbreaking side have passed away at a young age.
Ciarán's brother Donal was also on the 2001 final team with both brothers lining out in the half forward line, while Ciarán also regularly operated as a midfielder.
Ciarán helped Garrycastle to lift the Flanagan Cup again in 2002 and 2004, with final wins over Castledaly on both occasions. He also represented Westmeath during his football career.
The Ryan family's GAA roots are deep with Ciarán's father Dermot serving the Garrycastle club with distinction in a variety of roles, while Ciarán's grandfather, Séamus Ó Riain, was GAA President back in the 1960s.
Garrycastle GAA announced the loss of club stalwart Ciarán "with profound sadness and grief", stating that he was "a large part of the club from its foundation".
He won his first title in 1985 as a goalkeeper on the U12 team, and he went on to win back to back U14 titles (the second as captain). The club noted that he won numerous other underage honours, including a minor hurling title with Southern Gaels.
Ciarán went on to lead the adult Garrycastle team to a junior county title in 1993, and the club's first intermediate title in 1997, with that aforementioned senior success following in 2001.
Garrycastle GAA has paid tribute to Ciarán's dedication, recalling that when he was working and living in the UK, he made his own way home "to represent his club with the passion and commitment of a true warrior".
"A true gentleman on and off the pitch, you would struggle to find his name in any referee’s notebook. He was loved by all of his teammates and the wider club community and as a club we were privileged to have a man like Ciarán part of our club - a man who raised our flag to the top of the pole," said Garrycastle GAA.
"We extend our sincerest sympathies to his wife Bairbre, his children and to all of the Ryan family. We will miss him terribly and will forever feel the void left by his untimely departure. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Ciarán Ryan of Straffan, Co. Kildare and late of Garrycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, died peacefully on October 12 surrounded by his loving family, in the wonderful care of the Mater Private Hospital. Devoted and adored husband of Bairbre (Doran) and ‘Dada’ to Alice, Louis and Iris.
Predeceased by his brother Diarmuid, Ciarán will be forever loved and dearly missed by his heartbroken wife and children, his parents Rita and Dermot, his brothers Donal and Aidan, his sister Aoife, parents-in-law Noel and Angela, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
Reposing at Garrycastle GAA Clubhouse, Athlone, Co. Westmeath (N37 DN28) today (Wednesday), October 14 from 4pm to 7pm. Removal from his home in Straffan tomorrow (Thursday) to St Brigid’s Church, Straffan, Co. Kildare (W23 Y164) arriving for Requiem Mass at 1pm, followed by burial in Straffan Cemetery.
House strictly private, please. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Cancer Trials Ireland, states his death notice.
May Ciarán rest in peace.