Clare man killed in tragic bridge collision is to be laid to rest

“NATURAL leader”, “phenomenal athlete” and “great personality” are just some of the ways people have described Darren Ryan as they try to come to terms with his untimely passing.

Mr Ryan, aged 30, of Meelick, was fatally injured when the minibus he was driving struck Athlunkard Bridge in Corbally shortly before 3am on Sunday.

The son of Trish and Ray Ryan, of Ray Ryan Coach Hire, was one of triplets along with brothers Evan and Gavin, and he also had a sister, Dawn. Mr Ryan was the father of a young son, Raymie, and had a partner, Millena.

He reposed in McMahon's Funeral Home, Blackwater, on Wednesday evening ahead of his funeral Mass which will take place in John the Baptist Church, Meelick, this Thursday at 12noon.

One of his former rugby clubs - Young Munster RFC - issued a statement saying everyone is shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of former player Darren Ryan. He was the club's Junior Player of the Year in 2016.

“Our immediate thoughts are with the Ryan family, in particular his parents Ray and Trish, and siblings Evan, Gavin and Dawn and his son Raymond who Darren adored.

“The Ryan family have a long tradition of playing with Young Munster. Darren, a back row forward, began playing underage with the club and schools' rugby with St Munchin's College from where he went on to be part of our senior squad from 2013 - 2018 having played in the All-Ireland league semi-final in 2017 against Clontarf RFC, and also played on the winning Munster Junior Cup team in 2016 versus Cork Constitution RFC,” it reads.

Major issue with vandalism of electronic road signs in Ennis area

Mr Ryan's brothers Evan and Gavin were also part of the Young Munster squads during this time and his dad Ray was second row in the famous Young Munster All-Ireland winning league team in 1993.

“In latter years Darren also played with Kilfeacle RFC and Garryowen RFC where he had success on the field also. Darren was an outstanding player whose character lit up the dressing room. He will be remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure of playing with and coaching him. He will be sorely missed by all in Young Munster and the wider rugby community,” reads the statement.

Eric Nelligan, St Munchin's College assistant principal and gamesmaster, said Mr Ryan was a former pupil who was still very much involved with the school.

“Darren would often be the driver for a lot of the GAA matches we go to. He was still engaged and interested in what happens in Munchin's College. On behalf of the school community - staff, pupils, past pupils and parents - we are so upset for his family, parents Trish and Ray, his sister Dawn, brothers Evan and Gavin and his young son, Raymie.

“He will be a tremendous loss to the school, to the staff and the coaches. We’ve lost someone that was close to the school," said Mr Nelligan.

The assistant principal said Mr Ryan was a great sportsman and a phenomenal athlete.

“He would have been the smallest of the triplets but he made up for it in toughness. He was a fine player, gutsy, and strong,” said Mr Nelligan, who added that Mr Ryan had a great personality, always happy, so enthusiastic, bubbly and full of chat.
Garryowen FC have also paid tribute to their former player who they said was a “natural leader”.

In a statement, the club said they are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of their former player and great friend Darren Ryan, “a larger than life character”.

They said he brought fun and humour to the dressing room to defuse even the most tense of situations.
“Darren was a gifted footballer whose natural skill and steely determination greatly enhanced our team and he was a natural leader. Darren played his last game for us last season when he made a cameo appearance for Garryowen in Thomond Park against Shannon in the AIL.

“Darren won Munster Senior Cup and Bateman Cup with us after joining from Young Munster, who we join along with the rest of the rugby fraternity in mourning the loss of Darren," reads the statement.

It concludes: “To the Ryan family, words can’t express how much we feel your loss and the pain of losing Darren but please take some comfort in knowing he was much-loved and respected both as a player and friend by all of us lucky enough to have had him in our lives.

“Rest in peace, Darren.”

Following the funeral Mass, burial will take place in Ballycannon Cemetery.