Ryan: They love playing football and they like winning

Like Brian Cody, Eamonn Ryan is adamant there is no secret.

Year after year, both men have been pulled to one side in Croke Park during the months of September or October and asked what it is that separates their sides from all others and, year after year, they shrug their shoulders by way of reply.

“We never put the emphasis on medals,” said Ryan who, at 71, shows little inclination to call a halt. “The emphasis is on playing and training and enjoying it. The players try to improve a little bit all the time. To put your finger on it, they love playing football and they like winning.