Michéal Ryan – A cavelier camán wielder of style and steel
The late Michéal Ryan.
“He grew from boy to man on the hurling fields of Carlow and like Sétanta became Cúchulain, Michéal became ‘Dewey’, the name change in both cases signalling the arrival of a hurler possessing a warrior spirit with the twin attributes of style and steel.”
It was with a sense of disbelief that I typed those words into RIP.ie on Sunday morning, the disbelief not doubting the authenticity of the statement but the fact that Ballinkillen’s Michéal Ryan, just 37 years young and due to run the Dublin City Marathon next weekend in memory his late father-in-law, had himself graduated to the level lawns of God.
This week’s column is, of course, devoted to ‘Dewey’ and since hearing the sad news was forming an appropriate tribute in my head. However my tribute pen was stilled when into my in-box on Sunday morning courtesy of my partner Carmel arrived Ballinkillen Hurling Club’s own tribute to their fallen soldier. I decided there and then that this fantastic piece penned by Joe Nolan, a club stalwart, would - with apologies to Fenagh GFC - form the main plank of the columns tribute. First, though, I asked another club stalwart, Mick Kinsella, who had coached Michéal as a juvenile for a couple of stand-out memories …
“I do remember - hard to call if this is good or bad – when Michéal was U-14 he was very much right sided and playing centre back he would take the frees around the half back and generally be controlling things. This day he just decided - had the confidence and care-freeness - that he'd hit the frees on his left side for a change. Of course we shouted in what was he at, his reply was something along the line of “ah jesus lads don't be getting heated up it hardly matters that much!”
“Another day we had DJ Carey up doing a coaching session with the juveniles and at the end of the session Michéal persuaded DJ to hit a few penalties. DJ blasted home a couple and of course Michéal insisted he’d stand on the line on his own! DJ blasted and lo and behold didn't Michéal deflect it over the bar! Such was the impact that the hurl flew out of his hand, but didn't go into the net. He got great milage out of it afterwards.”
Now, over to that heartfelt Ballinkillen tribute …
There was great sadness and a profound sense of shock throughout our community as news broke on Thursday morning of the untimely passing of our club player and member, Michéal Ryan. Michéal began his hurling journey in Ballinkillen National School before progressing through the underage ranks of our club. He honed his skills through countless hours on the pitch, and his dedication and determination saw him regularly play above his age throughout his youth. Even in those early years, his character was evident: a bubbly personality, infectious energy and a natural enthusiasm for the game.
In 2001, Michéal was an integral member of our U-12 B championship-winning team, followed by an U-14 B title in 2003. By 2005, people were really beginning to take note of the fine hurler he had become, as he won a Junior medal while still only U-16, an outstanding achievement. In 2007, he featured in the county minor final, lining out at centre-forward to bolster the attack. The challenge never fazed him. For Michéal, it was all about hurling, all about the team and all about our club.
During his time in Borris Vocational School he was a vital part of many winning teams across both codes in what was a major catalyst for later Carlow success. Michéal was part of the All-Ireland-winning hurling team in 2006 when they defeated Nenagh VS.
He continued that fine form throughout his education and won a Division 1 Hurling League medal with Carlow IT in the 2014-15 season and went on to play Fitzgibbon Cup, where he matched himself against the best in the country {In December 2014 ‘Dewey’ was full-back on the IT Carlow team that beat famed UCC in the league final in Dungarvan. Full-forward for UCC was Shane O’Donnell, scorer of 3-3 for Clare in the 2013 All-Ireland final replay. His return off of Dewey in Fraher Field? 0-0. Interviewed by Kieran Murphy after the game, Michéal said, “This came from the bottom of the stomach, we are an honest team, there are no super-stars on our team but we have a lot of bottle.” - Barrowside Gael}
He progressed into adult hurling with ease and relished the challenges it brought. He was part of the Leinster League-winning sides of 2013 and 2017, two tremendous achievements for the club. In 2021, he captained the Senior side for the championship and won the Bolger Cup. Leadership came naturally to Michéal. He was a great communicator, a listener and someone who got on with everyone. He had a wonderful ability to read a situation and know when to crack a joke or when to crack the whip! Michéal knew his troops and always seemed to know how to get the best out of them. His final appearance for the club came as a substitute in the 2025 Junior final against Bagenalstown.
On the pitch, Michéal was a mobile and skilful defender who combined guile, strength and power to outwit forwards of every shape and size. He was a superb reader of the game and a natural leader, constantly talking {“Left Post, ‘Left Post!”}, encouraging and leading by example. He was a fierce competitor, but always a sportsman. No matter how hard the battle, every game ended with a handshake and that familiar, mischievous smile.
For all his commitment to hurling, Michéal had the perfect attitude towards the game. He understood that it was sport, something to be enjoyed for its own sake, and just one part of what made him the person we knew as “Dewey”. That attitude was perhaps best captured in his later years, when he might ramble into training with a broken hurl, pick up a spare from one of the lads and declare, “I like the feel of that,” before proceeding to use it for the rest of the year! It was a small but perfect example of his character and the enjoyment he brought to everything he did.
Michéal's contribution extended well beyond the playing field. He understood the role he had to play in the wider club and community, giving freely of his time and energy to social events, fundraising and whatever else was needed. He was someone who contributed without fuss, and his presence and personality enriched the club in so many ways.
Michéal's talent was evident at club level, and it was recognised at county level too. He was selected for the Carlow minor team in 2007, lining out against Wexford, Meath and Laois. His impressive performances in the county jersey, coupled with his burgeoning adult club career, earned him selection on both the U-21 and senior county panels in 2008. He went on to represent Carlow at U-21 level for three years.
Michéal made his senior county debut against Longford in the Kehoe Cup at Pearse Park and went on to feature throughout the 2008 league campaign, which culminated in a televised final in Limerick against Westmeath. He later came on as a substitute in Carlow's opening Christy Ring Cup game against London at the County Grounds and remained on the panel for the remainder of that victorious campaign. It was a momentous year for Carlow hurling and for our club.
Indeed, 2008 proved to be a remarkable year in Michéal's hurling career. He was part of the Carlow U-21 side that won both the Leinster and All-Ireland B titles, chipping in with a point in the final victory over Kerry. He returned to championship action at senior level in the 2016 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, lining out at full-back against Kerry and Offaly before taking up a wing-back position against Westmeath. In total, Michéal represented his beloved Carlow at adult level on 34 occasions: four championship appearances, 17 league games and 13 Walsh Cup and Kehoe Cup outings.
His county appearances also put him in the spotlight for the international shinty team, and he duly represented Ireland against Scotland in 2010 at U-21 grade.
Michéal leaves a lasting legacy, not only within Ballinkillen Hurling Club but throughout the wider community. He will be remembered with great affection by all who had the privilege of knowing him - as a talented hurler, a natural leader, a fierce competitor, a loyal clubman and, above all, a wonderful character whose energy and humour made him so special. While his passing leaves an enormous void, the
memories he created, the friendships he forged and the contribution he made to our club will endure for generations to come.
Ballinkillen Hurling Club wishes to extend its heartfelt sympathies to Michéal's wife, Aoife, and daughter, Saoirse; his parents, Eileen and Paddy; his brothers, Peter and Jonathan; his sister, Catriona; his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, niece and nephew; his extended family and his many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
