Éamonn Ryan remembered: 'I was so mesmerised by his team talk I nearly forgot we had to play a game'

'First and foremost, he was just a lovely person. He possessed a huge charisma and his ability to connect with people'

Cork manager Eamonn Ryan and his players celebrate after defeating Dublin in the 2014 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championship final. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“He went above and beyond developing us as footballers, he developed us as people,” said Rena Buckley in tribute to the man who inspired a generation of Cork ladies footballers.

Éamonn Ryan’s passing drew reflections on his 12-year term as Cork ladies football manager (2004-15), a period during which he steered the county to 10 Munster and All-Ireland championships, as well as nine League titles.