'My hero, my best friend': Philly Ryan honoured by son Shane 

Tipperary manager Philly Ryan died suddenly over the weekend.

R.I.P: Tipperary manager Philly Ryan before the Allianz Football League Division 4 match between Tipperary and Longford. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Late Tipperary football manager Philly Ryan was remembered as a 'hero, best friend and role model' by his son Shane at his funeral mass in Clonmel on Wednesday.

Ryan's funeral took place at St Peter and Paul’s Church, following his untimely passing at the age of 57 on Saturday morning.

Ryan became Tipperary football boss in August of 2024, having previously been in charge of the minors and under-21s. At club level, he coached Clonmel Commercials to a county title in 2012 and was coach to the club's senior footballers prior to his appointment to the Tipperary senior role. 

The late father - a multiple-time county-winning player with his club - was the Tipp 'keeper from 1990 to 2003, captaining his side to an All-Ireland B Championship title in 1995.

Shane - who has followed in Philly's footsteps by becoming the current Tipperary goalkeeper - honoured his father, noting his "legacy will live on forever". 

"Philly Ryan, a name that will never be forgotten," Shane said. "Dad has coached me my entire life, starting at under-six all the way up to senior level. 

"He always wanted to get the best out of me and that was evident in my first-ever under-six blitz when he whipped me off by the scruff of the jersey for not pulling my weight against Moyle Rovers.

"He did apologise years later and felt it was a bit over the top at the time. Dad was my idol and my role model. He played such a huge part in everyone's life, and that is clear in the stories being shared about him.

"Surprisingly, me and dad never fought. We were best friends, two peas in a pod, and he often saw a bit of himself in me. 

"Dad was a huge Leeds United supporter and growing up, he told me he didn't mind who I supported as long as it wasn't Manchester United.

"Dad would often sing the Leeds United song, 'Marching on Together,' and I find some of the words very fitting right now. 'We've been through it all together and we've had our ups and downs. We're going to stay with you forever, at least until the world stops going around.'"

Shane concluded: "Dad, if I turn out to be half the man you are, I'd be doing very well for myself.

"Your legacy will live on forever throughout Clonmel Commercials and Tipperary. This is just goodbye for now, until we meet again.

"My hero, my best friend, my dad."

Shane was accompanied by his sisters, Amy and Katie, who also spoke of their admiration for both their "wise" and "larger than life" father and his "partner-in-crime" - his wife Anna. 

"In 1990, Dad's life changed forever and for the better when he met our beautiful mam, Anna. Mam claims to be the quiet one, but there's a pair of them in it, and they complemented each other so well.

"They were husband and wife and ultimate best friends. They gave 35 years doing everything together and you'd rarely see one without the other.

"Just a few words to say from mam, I suppose the message that she really wants to put across is, like, if you love someone, you know, tell them you love them because you never know when they're not going to come back through the door.

"And I suppose that's something that's really hit home for us for the last few days. So it may seem small, but definitely do.

"The best way to describe Dad is he's like a Creme Egg. He's hard on the outside, but soft and full of sweetness on the inside. Dad was an amazing father.

"He's our first love and now our greatest heartbreak. He was the most loving man. Although he didn't always say the words, we felt it in everything he did for us."

The family gave their thanks to those close to them over the past few days, as well as the Commercials family - who were present at St Peter and Paul's - donning the club's green and gold.