Philly Ryan (Gaelic footballer)

Philly Ryan
Personal information
Born1968 (1968)
Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Died (aged 56–57)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Sport
SportGaelic football
PositionGoalkeeper
Club
Years Club
Clonmel Commercials
Club titles
Tipperary titles 5
Inter-county
Years County
1987–2003
Tipperary
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NFL 0
All Stars 0

Philip Ryan (1968 – 18 October 2025) was an Irish Gaelic football manager and goalkeeper at senior level for the Tipperary county team. He managed the Tipperary senior team from 2024 until his death in 2025.

Playing career

Born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ryan first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he linked up with the Tipperary minor team. He then joined the under-21 and junior sides. Ryan joined the senior panel during the 1987 championship.

Alhough a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Ryan never won a Railway Cup medal. At club level he was a five-time championship medallist with Clonmel Commercials.

Ryan retired from inter-county football following the conclusion of the 2003 championship.[1]

Coaching career

In retirement from playing Ryan became involved in team management and coaching. He served as manager of the Tipperary minor team on one occasion.[2]

In August 2024, Ryan was named as manager of the Tipperary senior football team.[3][4]

Ryan was appointed senior football manager for the 2025 season, and led Tipperary to a fifth-place finish in Division 4 of the Allianz Football League.[5]

Personal life

He underwent hip surgery in May 2025, but was back on the sideline on crutches for Tipperary's final game of the year, a Tailteann Cup defeat to Leitrim.[6]

On 18 October 2025, Ryan died after collapsing while walking in his hometown Clonmel.[7][8] He is survived by his wife Anna, his son Shane, who is the current Tipperary Senior goalkeeper, and daughters Amy and Katie.[9]

Honours

Player

Clonmel Commercials
Tipperary

References

  1. ^ "Tipperary GAA mourns the passing of senior football manager Philly Ryan". Tipperary GAA. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Tipp appoint Owens". Hogan Stand. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  3. ^ Lawlor, Damian (27 August 2024). "Former Tipp goalkeeper Philly Ryan confirmed as county's new senior manager". RTÉ. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Tipperary Senior Football Management Announcement". Tipperary GAA. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  5. ^ Morrissey, Marty (18 October 2025). "Tipperary football manager Philly Ryan dies aged 56". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Morrissey, Marty (18 October 2025). "Tipperary football manager Philly Ryan dies aged 56". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ "Tipperary GAA shocked by death of senior football manager Philly Ryan". Hogan Stand. 18 October 2025. Reports are that the 57-year-old died after he collapsed on Saturday morning.
  8. ^ Morrissey, Marty (18 October 2025). "Tipperary senior football manager Philly Ryan dies aged 56". RTÉ. Tipperary senior football manager Philly Ryan has died suddenly aged 56
  9. ^ Cullen, Jonathan (18 October 2025). "Tipperary GAA mourns the passing of Senior Football Manager Philly Ryan". Tipperary GAA. Retrieved 20 October 2025.