Shannon stalwart passes away

The death has occurred of Michael Noel Ryan, one of the best-known personalities in Limerick and Munster rugby.

An outstanding prop forward, who played all his rugby with Shannon, he is best remembered for his captaincy of the first Shannon team to win the Munster Senior Cup in 1960. After drawing the first final meeting with a star studded UCC team that included Tom Kiernan and Jerry Walsh, they won the replay at Thomond Park amidst tremendous excitement.

The famous Shannon anthem ‘There Is an Isle’ got its first major public outing that day and has become a familiar part of Munster and Irish rugby folklore over the ensuing 54 years.

Michael Noel, who was 78, formed a renowned front-row partnership with Frankie Flynn and Donogh Flannery, also deceased, and in later life he was an ever-present at Shannon matches.

He is survived by his brother Jim and sister Maureen Sparling.