Fergal Ryan
Encyclopedia
Fergal Ryan is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Blcakrock
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1992 until 2002.
in 1972. He was educated locally at Scoil Barra Naofa Buachaillí in nearby Beaumont and later attended the famous Coláiste Chríost Rí. It was here that his interest in Gaelic games
was first developed. Ryan later worked as a sales representative with United Beverages, becoming regional manager in 2003.
with Blackrock
in the late 1980s. His skill was quickly spotted by the Cork inter-county selectors and he quickly joined the panel. He made his debut against Clare
in 1995, however, Ryan's arrival on the scene coincided with one of the bleakest spells in Cork hurling. Between his debut and 1999 Ryan only ended up on the winning side on just one occasion. His only senior success of note was a National Hurling League
medal with Cork in May 1998. In 1999 Cork were back at the top, having won their first Munster Championship
title since 1992, with Ryan playing a key role in defence.
Later that year Cork defeated Kilkenny
to win their first All-Ireland
title since 1990
. Ryan finished off the year by claiming an All-Star Award
, along with fellow defenders Diarmuid O'Sullivan
and Brian Corcoran
. 1999 finished on an even higher note for Ryan when his club, Blackrock
, won the Cork Senior Hurling Championship
for the first time in 14 years. As a result Ryan was awarded the captaincy of the Cork inter-county hurling team for 2000
. That year Ryan guided Cork to a second consecutive Munster title, however, his side were defeated by Offaly
in the All-Ireland semi-final. While Ryan's hurling career should have gone from strength to strength Cork's hurling fortunes took a remarkable downturn, culminating in a players strike in 2002. By the time the team made the breakthrough in 2003 Ryan's name had disappeared from the panel.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Blcakrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1992 until 2002.
Biography
Fergal Ryan was born in the Cork suburb of BlackrockBlackrock, County Cork
Blackrock is a village and suburb contained within Cork City, Ireland. It began as a small fishing village about five kilometres from Cork City but the growth of the city has meant the village became incorporated into the city...
in 1972. He was educated locally at Scoil Barra Naofa Buachaillí in nearby Beaumont and later attended the famous Coláiste Chríost Rí. It was here that his interest in Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
was first developed. Ryan later worked as a sales representative with United Beverages, becoming regional manager in 2003.
Playing career
Ryan first started playing senior hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
in the late 1980s. His skill was quickly spotted by the Cork inter-county selectors and he quickly joined the panel. He made his debut against Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
in 1995, however, Ryan's arrival on the scene coincided with one of the bleakest spells in Cork hurling. Between his debut and 1999 Ryan only ended up on the winning side on just one occasion. His only senior success of note was a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal with Cork in May 1998. In 1999 Cork were back at the top, having won their first Munster Championship
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title since 1992, with Ryan playing a key role in defence.
Later that year Cork defeated Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
to win their first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title since 1990
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1990
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1990 was the 104th staging of Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition. Cork won the championship, beating Galway 5-15 to 2-21 in the final at Croke Park, Dublin.-Teams:...
. Ryan finished off the year by claiming an All-Star Award
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
, along with fellow defenders Diarmuid O'Sullivan
Diarmuid O'Sullivan
Diarmuid O'Sullivan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Cloyne and was a dual player with the Cork senior inter-county teams at various times from 1997 until 2008. O'Sullivan is regarded as one of Cork's greatest-ever players.-Biography:Diarmuid O'Sullivan was born in...
and Brian Corcoran
Brian Corcoran
Brian Corcoran is a former Irish sportsman. He played hurling and Gaelic football with Erin's Own and Cork in the 1990s and 2000s.-Early life:Brian Corcoran was born in Caherlag, Glounthaune, County Cork in 1973...
. 1999 finished on an even higher note for Ryan when his club, Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
, won the Cork Senior Hurling Championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
for the first time in 14 years. As a result Ryan was awarded the captaincy of the Cork inter-county hurling team for 2000
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2000
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 2000 was the 114th edition of Ireland’s premier hurling knockout competition. The championship ran from May to September of that year, culminating with the All-Ireland final, held at Croke Park, Dublin on 10 September...
. That year Ryan guided Cork to a second consecutive Munster title, however, his side were defeated by Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. While Ryan's hurling career should have gone from strength to strength Cork's hurling fortunes took a remarkable downturn, culminating in a players strike in 2002. By the time the team made the breakthrough in 2003 Ryan's name had disappeared from the panel.