Borris' 1987 captain hoping to hand over mantle

 

By Shane Brophy

 

Michael Ryan's memories of Borris-Ileigh's last All Ireland success might not be what he would hope they would be they have been revived following the clubs current run to the 2020 All Ireland Final.

Ryan, who skippered Borris-Ileigh to the 1987 All Ireland success over Rathnure of Wexford at Croke Park is hoping to hand over the tag of being the last Tipperary man to captain a club from the Premier County to All Ireland Senior Club glory.

“I'm growing tired of it and could do with handing it over, particularly to a Borris-Ileigh man,” he said of being the last captain to lift the Tommy Moore Cup for a Tipperary club.

“For the last good few years, every time the Tipp representative gets beaten, particularly in recent years when Thurles fell short, someone would come to me if I was around the town and tell me, you're still the last Tipp man to lift Tommy Moore. It's said to me so many times.”

He admits his memories of that 1987 success aren't as fresh as he would like but it culminated a great era of success for Borris-Ileigh in which they won three county titles in 1981, 1983 and 1986, adding a Munster and then an All Ireland title.

“It's a amazing how little I remember it. It disappoints me in a way but other people would say things to you and then it would come back to you,” he said.

Borris-Ileigh defeated Ballycastle of Antrim in the All Ireland semi-final in 1987 in Thurles before defeating Rathnure in the final on St Patrick's Day, 2-9 to 0-9.

 

To read more, pick up a copy of this weeks Nenagh Guardian locally or subscribe to our e-paper to access it online each Wednesday.