Dual star Ryan passes away

The funeral will take place today of former Cork football captain Christy Ryan. A dual hurler and footballer, Christy played with both intercounty sides during the ‘80s and enjoyed a hugely successful career with his club, St Finbarr’s. Captain of the Cork football team in 1980 and 1983, Christy was the winner of two Munster football titles and won one National Football League in 1980.

He was also a substitute on the Cork hurling team that secured a league title in 1980, a double league-winning season for the senior men's teams. Furthermore, he was a member of the football side who were runners-up to Meath in the 1987 All-Ireland Final.

Although he saw little success with the Cork hurlers who suffered a barren period during that time, the 63 year old had enormous success with the ‘Barrs, winning All-Ireland and Munster club titles in both codes.

Playing in 20 county finals during the Togher club's golden era, Christy won six football titles and five in hurling, and played for 17 consecutive seasons with his club. He was full forward on the ‘Barr's hurling side that were crowned All-Ireland champions in 1978 while his first club football All-Ireland came in the 1979-80 football campaign, a title that was retained the following season. He subsequently won his third football title in the 1986/87 season.

The brother-in-law of clubmate Jimmy Barry Murphy, whose sister Miriam is married to Ryan, Christy who was an auctioneer, passed away at his home on Tuesday. His private requiem mass will be streamed today, Thursday, at 11.30am on churchservices.tv/thelough.