Anthony Daly on Pat Ryan’s departure: Cork hurling is losing an absolute diamond of a person

Now that Pat Ryan has decided to move on, my main emotion is sadness that it ended this way for one of hurling’s true gentlemen. It’s not a totally sad ending because it’s Pat’s own decision but nobody knows the full details either.

BREATH OF FRESH AIR: Pat Ryan is open, honest and always fair in his public comments. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Was I surprised and shocked at Pat Ryan’s departure as Cork manager? Yes and no. 

I felt when the decision hadn’t been made well into August that something was brewing, but I still felt that Pat would remain in charge.