Pat Ryan: All-Ireland tilt 'about the players, not my resumé'

BIGGER PICTURE: Cork boss Pat Ryan. 

Pat Ryan has ample silverware to show for his time in hurling management. 

Be it while prowling the sidelines for Sarfields or the Cork under-20s, current senior boss Ryan has delivered.

But Ryan isn't thinking about what a win on All-Ireland final day this Sunday could do for his CV. It's about much more for the 47-year-old.

"I don't think it would be the icing on the cake," the 1999 All-Ireland SHC winner said. "Look, I would always say that playing is the most important achievement. 

"Why I got back involved in Cork GAA was to to see if I could help, the same way I did when I finished playing with Sars, 'what could I do for the club?'"

"From my point of view, this is about the players, you know, not what my resumé will be at the end of it. It's about the players and the public, and Cork GAA. 

"I've got great support from the county board and the people in it, and we need to repay that faith to them."

On the veterans - Patrick Horgan, Séamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane and Damien Cahalane - Ryan was forthcoming in his praise for their application and drive to represent the Rebels year-in, year-out. 

"They've been brilliant warriors for us," he said. "Those four lads; their dedication, how they mind themselves, how they look after themselves, how much the Cork jersey means to them. 

"They're inspiring all the other lads that are in here and inspiring our group as a whole."

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