Ryan: I couldn’t walk off with unfinished business

LONG serving St Finbarr’s stalwart Michael Ryan had his career plans mapped out before last season’s county senior football final.

The defender was set to call it a day if the Togher club brought their 25-year title drought to an end. But, Clonakilty scuppered that dream and Ryan felt he couldn’t walk away with unfinished business.

“Last year I was going to finish up if we won the county. But I didn’t want to leave on such a low note when we lost. I kept doing a bit of work over the winter just to see how I was. I made a decision then in January that I would go back.

“I’ve been very lucky I haven’t had many serious injuries in my career. It’s very hard to keep at it but what keeps me going is the club itself. Losing semi-finals and finals is heartbreaking but it drives you to keep going for it.”

St Finbarr’s renaissance since senior relegation at the end of 2007 has been underpinned by the presence of some stellar young talents. Players like Glenn O’Connor, Eoin Keane and Jason Sexton from their successful minor and U21 sides has been crucial, according to Ryan.

“They invigorate you even to look at them. There’s great enthusiasm and honesty from them. You drive forward for them and they’ve been the main ingredient as to why we’ve improved at senior level.”

But, he is mindful they need to seize the opportunity against Nemo Rangers.

“There’s a couple of us who’ve been playing for a good while and we know how rare these county finals are. The young fellas might get this opportunity again, but they need to be told too that this might not happen again. It doesn’t necessarily work out that you’ll get this chance year after year.”

Sunday’s opponents have frequently heaped pain upon Ryan and he is aware St Finbarr’s need to improve.

“I’ve played Nemo five or six times in championships and I haven’t beaten them once. It’s going to be a really hard ask on Sunday. It was a good win against Carbery Rangers last weekend but I still think we can improve. That performance won’t do against Nemo and we’ll have to improve 50 to 60% to match them.”