Farmer killed in accident was father of Kilkenny hurler

A farmer killed in a work place accident in Kilkenny has been named locally as the father of All-Ireland hurling winning captain Lester Ryan.

Johnny Ryan - who's in his 60's - was killed in an incident involving a tractor at his farm in Clara.

Both the Gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority have launched separate investigations.

The President of the Irish Farmers Association Eddie Downey has expressed his condolences to the Ryan family.

He has said the IFA would re-double its efforts to promote the importance of farm safety.

Kilkenny have withdrawn from the pre-season Walsh Cup competition as a mark of respect to both Johnny - who was captain of the Kilkenny over 40s hurling team that won an All-Ireland a few years ago – and Lester who lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup last year.

Clara GAA Chairperson, Carmel Brennan, expressed her condolences on behalf of the club.

"The entire parish is stunned following Johnny's death," she said.

"The Ryan family has long been the backbone of the club and Johnny and his brothers have always been involved in all the various parish activities and committees.

"Johnny and his brothers were always the first to volunteer, be it stewarding or parking cars, preparing for matches etc. In fact we had a job to convince Johnny not to steward in a car park on the night of the homecoming when Lester was bringing back the Liam McCarthy cup to our club the Monday night after the All-Ireland.

"His wife, Lilly, was equally involved, always there to help, always there to bring the lads to matches, cheer on the teams etc. Our hearts go out to her and to the boys and the wider Ryan family.

"Johnny's father Liam was a founding member of the club and it was Johnny who started juvenile training for our young players on Saturday mornings.

"He was on our executive committee for years and was a centre back in the 1986 team which won the Clara's first ever County Championship in 1986. Johnny was also the captain of the Masters Over 40 team of 1988.

"We are stunned and saddened by his untimely death and all club activities have been cancelled until further notice as a mark of respect to his entire family."