Pat Ryan harnessed Cork hurling support to create some incredible memories

Reflecting on the highs and lows of Pat Ryan's tenure as Cork manager, there is a strong sense that the bainisteoir's bib has been left in a better place. Yet only the fullness of time will determine the true extent of his legacy.

Ryan's mission statement from the outset has been all about ending droughts. He snapped the 22-year wait for an All-Ireland U20 trophy in 2020 and bridged the 27-year gap to a National League title in April. Alas, one crucial omission remained.

The devout Sarsfields clubman has never been afraid to say it straight. In his first press roundtable as manager, he declared: “If we don’t win an All-Ireland, it will be a failure.” He reiterated that statement in the week prior to this year's final.

Yet it feels far too binary to attach that label to Ryan given all he achieved in his three years.

MASTERMIND

First of all, Ryan was the man to mastermind the fall of Limerick's drive for five. In an era where so few teams got a handle on the Treaty, Cork served up an intoxicating brand of direct hurling. Three men on the inside line. Direct ball pucked down on their aerial targets. 

A dash of tradition into the new-age hurling tactics.

It all came together on a magical Leeside night when Cork rode the gauntlet of championship elimination to emerge from a 60-score thriller with a daring success. Not just still alive, but revitalised as their fans celebrated on the Páirc turf.

Ryan harnessed that 16th man, which followed him every step of the way. They sold out an incredible nine successive Championship games, plus the League final.

Such support lifted them to prove that night was far from a one-off. With Limerick buoyed for semi-final revenge, Cork did it again, without home comforts, and won in even more controlled fashion.

There was no trophy those days, but Munster silverware would arrive at the home of Limerick hurling in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Ryan spoke about loyalty in his departure statement. The high esteem his players felt for their manager was evident in Robert Downey's touching speech from the Mackey Stand: “I don’t think Pat realises how much this group actually love him but I am going to tell him here today.” 

That was a bittersweet moment for Ryan, following so soon after the tragic death of his brother, Ray. 

Throughout his lifelong service to Cork hurling, the 49-year-old greeted victory and defeat with the same dignity.

His first year was a tale of near misses. An extra white flag in the Tipperary draw or the one-point defeats to Clare and Limerick would've secured qualification.

IMPROVED

Prior to that Páirc triumph over the Treaty, his Championship record read one win, one draw, and four one-score defeats. After that, Cork won eight, drew one, and lost three.

The Waterford defeat in 2024 was a low point which led Ryan into his biggest reshuffle. From there, a preferred team emerged and Ryan kept his faith in them to rectify the round-robin demolition in Limerick this season.

Of course, the greatest lows were the back-to-back All-Ireland defeats, albeit in different ways.

Amid the disappointment of losing an extra-time nail-biter to Clare, Ryan showed his class by refusing to blame the officials. However narrow the margins, he also stated that the Banner were the better team on the day. In four Championship attempts, they were the one county Ryan never bettered.

More often than not, Cork had Tipperary's number during Ryan's three years. The Rebels cruised to League silverware with the same ease with which they conquered Thurles the year previous.

However, the way in which Tipp tactically dismantled them in that second half will surely be Ryan's biggest regret. That image of six of the management team in deliberation on the sideline as the tide turned became a symbol of the Cork collapse.

They were beaten on the field, but the gossip which soured the aftermath did a disservice to the progress made under Ryan.

Liam Cahill summed up the esteem in which Ryan is held by his peers, telling him on the Croke Park sideline that he “wished it was anybody bar him”. The entire hurling public watching on would've felt the same.

Managers are rarely so well-liked as Ryan, especially beyond their county bounds. 

That is a testament to the way in which he carried himself throughout his term with supporters, media, players, and opponents.

He leaves as the man who came closest to ending Cork's Liam MacCarthy wait. His legacy will only grow if the team that Pat built can take the final step under new management.