Sars will rally behind family of Ray Ryan, as they did with Teddy, Ger and Conor

“We'll make sure the Ryan family gets the support they need. The GAA community always comes together in times like this," said Sars club chairman Keith Mulcahy.

Eanna Martin Eoin Quigley and Ray Ryan celebrate Sars's Cork County Senior Hurling Championship Final victory. Pic: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE.

The punches keep rolling out around Riverstown. An unthinkable sequence of losses. A roll call of Sars stalwarts departed too soon.

First, it was Teddy Mac on June 6, 2023. Just 57 years of age. The word ‘unexpectedly’ leapt from his death notice.

Then, Ger Mohally, on November 10 later that same year. Six years Teddy’s junior. A “much respected and loved” Sars figure who did everything from manage the U15s, oversee the juvenile finances, and run the club shop.

On August 14 last year, the club found itself communicating the “passing of another great Sars man”. Conor McCarthy was a player, coach, manager, volunteer, and friend to so many.

He was the man, said this latest Sars post carrying unwelcome news, who the club turned to when a team was less attractive to manage than others. He imparted skill and spirit of loyalty in equal measure.

And now another. Ray Ryan. The youngest of the lot at 43. The word ‘unexpected’ again reached for.

A four-time county championship winning centre-back. The holder of the No.6 shirt during the club’s most successful ever era from 2008-14. A former Cork half-back. A husband to Aishling. A father to McKenna, Rory, and Elliot. A son to Paddy and Marian. Brother to Cork hurling manager Pat, Trevor, and Ken.

As they did for Teddy, Ger, and Conor, Sarsfields hurling club found itself on Tuesday morning having to pay tribute to a favourite son long before they ever expected to.

As they did for Teddy, Ger, and Conor, Sarsfields hurling club will rally and wrap the arm around in the days, weeks, and months ahead. What other choice do they have.

“I feel like we've been hit by a brick because it is never-ending. First we had Teddy, then Ger Mohally, Conor McCarthy last year, and now Ray. We just can't comprehend it,” said club chairman Keith Mulcahy.

“We have had highs on the field in recent years and we have had lows off it, people passing away, the flooding of our grounds. It has been a rollercoaster for everybody.

“The most important thing now is that the people of Glanmire and Sars come together and rally around the Ryan family to try and get them through this, be there and support them through this.”

In all the pieces penned after word filtered through of Ray’s untimely passing, each made mention of the fact that he answered the Cork call going into the 2009 season.

The established Cork panel of the time had withdrawn their services in dispute with then manager Gerald McCarthy. That same management reached out to Ray. He acceded to their invite.

His rationale was that it was a “privilege” to play for Cork. That privilege extended to Cork captaincy for the early part of the 2009 League and four championship appearances in 2010.

He carried the same attitude at home. It was a privilege to play for Sars, no matter the grade. No matter one’s own age or level of preparedness.

The aforementioned Mulcahy was Junior B manager last year. He was struggling to round up 15 bodies for a League fixture against Cobh midsummer. A festival had the young lads away. Injuries had the older crew out of commission. To the rescue came Cobh-stationed Garda Ryan.

“I rang Ray the day before the game and said is there anyone you could get me. He said, ‘who are you stuck for?’ I said, I don't have a goalkeeper. He said he’d do it. I told him I didn't expect him to come up. He said, ‘don't worry, I'll come up on my lunch break, there's no problem’.

“Went in goal, played well, pulled his hamstring, and went back to work with an ice pack. That will tell you how much of a clubman he was. He'd never have seen the club stuck.

“He'd have been 42 at the time. Didn't bother him. He was just a diehard. He'd have done anything for Sars and anything for his family. An incredible family man.”

Giving back in more recent times involved sideline presence more than impromptu No.1 shifts. He managed the 2024 Sars minor class to the Cork Premier 1 decider. He was again at the helm this season. Both groups adored him. So did many others.

He will repose at Barry Bros. Funeral Home, Hazelwood Glanmire tomorrow Thursday from 5-6pm. Requiem mass will take place on Friday morning, 11am, at St Joseph’s Church, Springhill.

“A huge loss to the club and community. We'll miss him. My heart goes out to his family, to his parents Paddy and Marian. They are all such lovely people,” Mulcahy continued.

“We'll make sure the Ryan family gets the support they need. The GAA community always comes together in times like this.”

Sars, although they deeply wish they hadn’t had to, have never been found wanting in this respect over the past 21 months.