We’re so proud of them – Michael Ryan

By Shane Brophy

“We are having a ball,” admitted one of Upperchurch/Drombane’s most famous sons, Michael Ryan, as he and almost every man, woman, and child from the parish prepares to make the journey to Dublin for next Saturday’s All-Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling final.

“There is just a big smile on people’s faces,” he said since the semi-final win over Danesfort on the Sunday before Christmas, with the only topic of conversation in the parish over the festive period being the trip to Croke Park and cheering on their own black & amber.

“Win, lose or draw, we are so proud of them,” Ryan added, who himself has many great days at Croke Park, winning All-Ireland senior titles with Tipperary as a player, selector and manager against a team wearing the black & amber in Kilkenny but his Saturday it will be his native parish..

“In the early stages weren’t happy with how they were playing. They had been under the radar bit but really turned up against Gortnahoe/Glengoole in the county semi-final,” he admitted of the 0-20 to 0-19 victory.

“There has been a little bit of luck but they have been brave,” Ryan added, paying great credit to the management team.

“It was like a weight was lifted off,” he said after winning the county final over Carrick Swan.

“I thought they were really good against Ballinhassig of Cork in Semple Stadium, finished really well.

“Going into the last five or ten minutes of a game, they will fight it out and get two or three more scores,” as they did in the All-Ireland semi-final against Danesfort.

“They are a very resilient bunch. There is a tremendous work ethic which we as supporters would be very proud of.”