Noel Ryan has been one of Cork basketball's greatest and most loyal servants

 NOEL RYANN was rightly and fittingly inducted into the Cork County Basketball Board Hall of Fame at the end of last season after giving over 50 years of service, coaching, playing and refereeing the game of basketball. 

That was a very proud day for the Ryan family as Noel’s wife Emily, his children Aoife, Andrea, Stephen, Paul and Sarah were busting with pride as his accomplishments in the game were finally recognised.

The East Cork native is renowned for his teaching style of the game, as all his teams are fundamentally sound and one of his greatest qualities is how he engages with his young players, always making them feel comfortable and confident on the court.

Noel was actually a late comer to the game when he started playing for his local team St John Bosco's at the age of 21. 

He played for 14 years with Bosco's, however, he soon found himself coaching with the club helping to bring the next generation of young players through.

“My first basketball game I saw was the FCA playing in Midleton in the late sixties,” Noel said.

“Shortly after that game I was asked to be a leader in the local Youth Club and some of St John Bosco's Basketball team were also in the club as members. 

"I was asked would I be interested in playing and from the very first game I played I was hooked. 

"I made some great friends playing with the likes of John O’Lomasney, Joe Hallissey, Pat Coakley and Ray Savage.

“One of my fondest memories of my playing days was when we won the Division 2 League, Championship and the end of season tournament in the Cork Leagues after ten barren years. 

"We were presented with the Lota Shield afterwards which was a magnificent trophy. 

"I retired soon after that great season to concentrate to coaching and refereeing."

Noel was a accomplished referee in the Seventies and Eighties, where he officiated at the highest level refereeing National League games all over the country. 

He took up the whistle by accident when the Country Board brought in a rule that every club had to provide a referee, however it was a decision he never regretted.

“I started refereeing soon after I retired from playing in the late Seventies when the club asked me would I represent them, as the Country Board brought in a rule for every club had to provide a referee because of a shortage of officials.

“I had the pleasure of refereeing in the Eighties when basketball was booming in the country as American players were just been introduced to the game in Ireland. 

"The excitement and the buzz around the game was unbelievable and I really enjoyed the experience. 

"However, I must say I got more enjoyment of refereeing in the Cork Minor League as the standard of players were at a very high level and you would be sure of some really exciting games. 

"I refereed for a total of 14 year before I retired to again concentrate on my first love coaching."

Noel took up coaching soon after he joined Bosco's and he has been on the sideline ever since with his schools, Midleton CBS, St Mary’s Boys, Carrigtwohill, St Aloysius College Secondary School in Carrigtwohill and clubs, East Cork Comets and EC Glenmary.

“I am coaching now over 50 years and to be honest, I’m as motivated now as I was the very first day I began coaching all those years ago. 

"It has been some journey, however, I had the pleasure of coaching some wonderful players over the years.

“I started with Bosco's before I was asked to coach the girls at St Aloysius College and I coached there for a ten year period. 

"I returned to club basketball to coach EC Comets and we played out out of Glenmary Hall. 

"I also coached the school that I was teaching in, St Mary’s Boys in Carrigtwohill, and took them into the Cork Leagues for a number of years. 

"It was a great feeling walking down to the hall after school with the children following me like the pied piper waiting to play and learn all about basketball.

“One of my favourite memories of coaching was in the early nineties when St Mary's were playing the North Mon in the U11 League. 

"This was a non-competitive League and I played 27 players, the Mon played 19 players, and the game finished 16-16. 

"The most important thing that day was all the kids played which I a firm believer in every child should play in every game at underage level."

Noel is currently coaching the U14 boys team with EC Glenmary and after 50 years service, he is as eager as ever attending as many coaching clinics as he can.

Just shows your never too old to learn.