Roger Ryan has given a lifetime of service to his beloved Blackrock GAA club

Up and down this country there are many unique volunteers and for 88 year-old Roger Ryan, president of Blackrock GAA club, the buzz of the sport has never left the great man.

Ryan arrived in Cork back in the sixties from his home base of Tallow in county Waterford after getting an opportunity to work on Leeside.

“I got a job offer from M P O’Sullivan in 1959 who were in based in Princess Street and what prompted me to leave at all was that I had three buddies who I was involved with in a music group and they all had emigrated to England,” Roger said.

The role of Paddy O’Sullivan proved vital also for Ryan to make his move to Cork as he was familiar with many customers in the town.

“After I accepted Paddy’s invitation he made one stipulation as he made it clear that I wasn’t to join any club until I sat down with him in Cork and I suppose it was no coincidence that his family were staunch Rockies supporters,” added Ryan.

Indeed there was competition for Ryan’s service at that time as Micka Brennan of Sarsfields travelled to Tallow in order to get his signature but he stuck with his bosses wishes.

“In January 1960 I moved into my digs on the Blackrock Road and a year later I won a Senior county with a fantastic side that included Jimmy Brohan, Florrie O’Mahony and Mick Cashman and that was a dream start for me in Cork.” 

The Blackrock experience only lasted until 1963 as Roger moved job to Thurles to Sutton’s hardware and he played his hurling with Holy Cross for three years.

At the end of his career at the age of 38 Ryan managed to help Tallow win the Waterford Intermediate championship before returning to the Rockies where he has been involved at administration level over five decades.

Now in his second year as President of Blackrock Roger is very proud of his association with the club.

“It was rather sentimental because it took over from my great friend Jimmy Brohan and I will hopefully fill his boots in a good manner because he was a true Blackrock man from head to toe.” 

Over the years Roger could be seen at any venue in Cork when Blackrock are involved as he explained his role.

“My first love is Blackrock as I do reports for Facebook and our club website and what I love to do attend Junior games and lower grades because these are ones that do not get the same coverage.

“We also have a mailing list that goes out that I send to about 400 people especially as we have some promising young players coming through with the juvenile section a great set up and well done to all concerned.” 

The importance of having a strong juvenile section is crucial to any club competing at decent levels of GAA.

“Our present Senior squad are all lads that came through the Blackrock underage programme and when you look at players like Fionn Coleman, Ollie Macadoo, Alan Connolly and Robbie Cotter and ironically my old friend Jimmy Brohan would have coached many of them.” 

In recent years Blackrock have found the Senior county championship competitive but Ryan believes his club have a decent squad of players.

“Having a good conveyor belt is the secret to success as if you can get two players annually or every two years you are doing well and presently I feel we have a good young side capable of making an impression in the championship.” 

The Red FM hurling league campaign has been mixed for Blackrock but Ryan believes they will improve.

“We didn’t get a great start when losing to Charleville but I thought we showed true grit in our win over Carrigaline who let me add are also a fine young side.

“When you look at our three forwards Alan Connolly, Fionn Coleman and Robbie Cotter they are a formidable unit on any given day.” 

The present goodwill factor in Cork hurling is something that is pleasing Ryan who believes their National League final against Tipperary will be a great occasion.

“There is a bit of hunger back in the Cork Senior team and you can see our forwards are looking for the ball and without blowing them up as its early days, but I do think we will be in the mix for honours.” 

After meeting Roger on numerous occasions over many years one can only admire his love for the GAA and his beloved club Blackrock who he is serving with dignity and honour.