Kieran Shannon: Pat Ryan exits with grace as Cork '04 and '05 class loom large

Jimmy Barry-Murphy has been mentioned as a possible successor to Ryan but it's time for someone new to take reins. The necessary calibre of manager and selector is there in Cork. 

The greatest measure of Pat Ryan’s graciousness and integrity was his comments regarding the Cork county board. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

We’ll get to talking about the next man in a bit but we have to start with the last man – who, by the way, could easily be the next man after the next man.

Just when you thought it was impossible to admire and like Pat Ryan all the more from his time as Cork manager, he then goes and gives those interviews to Marty Morrissey of RTÉ and John Fogarty of this parish upon finishing up in that role.