Michael Ryan is back as Ballymacarbry ladies football boss for 2020, 45 years after he started.
He first took charge in 1975 and led the club to ten All Ireland titles between 1987 and 1998.
"I was a selector for the last two years with Michael O'Sullivan and he stepped down. A vacancy arose and one or two players said it to me. I started putting together a management team and suddenly I was stuck in it again. It's addictive really, it's in my blood. It's something that I've enjoyed in the past. Above all, they're a really committed bunch of girls and it's a privilege to be involved with them."
He was also involved as coach with the Colligan junior hurlers this year as they won the Western title. "I enjoy working with players. It's something I've done all my life, I don't know any different. There's a lot of time that goes into it but that doesn't bother me. It's my hobby really. If you like your hobby, you keep going at it."
Ballymac are bidding for 39 county titles in a row on Sunday against Stradbally. In 2019, they recovered from six points down to defeat Comeragh Rangers. "Last year was the closest to us being caught. A very good Comeragh Rangers team were beaten by twelve points by Stradbally so that's a measure of the challenge that's facing us on Sunday."
Listen back to the Ladies Football Final Special from Friday's Lár Na Páirce.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/wlrfm/ladiesfootballfinalspecial?utm_medium=widget&utm_source=user%3A11231943&utm_term=episode_title
