KENNEDY HAILS LATE, GREAT RYAN'S IMPACT ON HIS GAME AFTER TIPP TITLE

AFTER collecting his eighth Tipperary senior football title, Séamus Kennedy hailed the influence of Philly Ryan for incubating Clonmel Commercials' greatest era of success.

- BY STEPHEN BARRY

The Premier football manager, who passed away last month, was at the helm for Kennedy's first triumph in 2012 to end a decade-long drought.

The club remains heartbroken over his loss and his impact will never be forgotten.

"Me and Michael (Quinlivan) were very young coming in in 2012, and Philly was manager. He took us in, looked after us, and gave us our start to cut our teeth at senior football," said three-time All-Ireland hurling champion Kennedy.

"I'll always be very, very grateful for that. He's been incredible to me over the years.

"Winning our eighth title is very, very special, with the likes of Michael, Kevin Fahey, and Donal Lynch, who have been there through all that. A few others, Jamie Peters and Jason Lonergan, have been around for a lot of them.

"We're a town club, but it's a smallknit club and it's very close-knit, so it's very special doing it with all those lads."