Former Waterford and Westmeath boss Michael Ryan has been on the road for over 45 years managing teams but shows no signs of slowing down.
In 2021, he will take charge of the Fourmilewater hurlers, The Nire footballers, the Ballymacarbry ladies as well as assisting the Waterford minor hurlers as selector. “Maybe there’s something wrong with me because I feel about 25 years of age! I feel I have loads of energy. I’m bored stiff at the moment. There’s nothing to do. I built a stone wall down the gable end of the house. I’m still building, I could end up on the main road building because I have nothing to do! It is my hobby. I would have played hurling with Fourmilewater and football with The Nire and this is the first time I’m involved with them at senior level. It was an opportunity. There’s great pride in your own place. One of my best ever days was the day The Nire won their first senior football championship back in 1993, the guy who I work with Sean Guiry managed that team. There’s a good bunch of guys there; they’re our own really. I didn’t envisage getting involved with so many teams. Gary O’Keeffe and Ray Murphy asked me about the Waterford minors. If I’m in it, I’m in it. I will do the very best I can, I’ll give every spare moment I have to it. Above all, nobody will enjoy it as much as I will.”
Michael Ryan The Road from Ballymac is published by Hero Books and is now available from all good bookstores and online.
Listen back to the full interview with Michael Ryan from Friday’s Lár Na Páirce.
https://www.spreaker.com/user/wlrfm/april2part3
