Tributes are being paid to former Kilkenny hurler Lester Ryan Snr who has died following a road traffic accident in Gowran on Saturday.
The 61-year-old died as a result of a collision involving his bicycle and a tractor, close to his home in Kilkenny at around 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan played for Kilkenny, alongside his brother Harry, in the 1980s and and 1990s and won three Leinster senior medals, to add to the two All-Ireland minor medals he won with his county.
"All associated with Kilkenny GAA were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Lester Ryan (Senior)," reads the post on the official Kilkenny GAA Twitter account.
"As a player and as a coach he left his mark on the GAA community both in Kilkenny and beyond.
"We extend our sympathies to his Wife and family. Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam."
All associated with Kilkenny GAA were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Lester Ryan (Senior). As a player and as a Coach he left his mark on the GAA community both in Kilkenny and beyond. We extend our sympathies to his Wife and family. Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam.
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) June 7, 2020
Ryan, who is the uncle of the 2014 Kilkenny All-Ireland winning captain and namesake, played for the Clara GAA club and was also a GAA referee.
He was also involved with the Leinster Poc Fada competition (right of main pic) and was a member of the Leinster Council, working as a coaching officer.
"Kilkenny Camogie was deeply saddened to hear that Lester Ryan had died today after an accident," said Kilkenny Camogie on its official Instagram account.
"Lester was a gentleman and he worked with a number of officers during the recent hosting of the National Féile in Kilkenny."
Ryan also gave up a lot of his time helping with coaching in Carlow and the Camogie county paid tribute in a statement that read: "It was with much regret and deep sorry that we learned of the [untimely] passing of Lester Ryan RIP yesterday evening.
"Many people involved in Camogie and the GAA across Carlow knew and above all respected Lester.
"A pure gentleman whose intention always was to improve every player and indeed promote hurling and camogie in every club, school and college in Carlow."
Tribute to Lester Ryan RIP pic.twitter.com/6A4DpIfX2s
— Carlow CountyCamogie (@CamogieCarlow) June 7, 2020
It was with much regret and deep sorry that we learned of the untimingly passing of Lester Ryan RIP yesterday evening. Many people involved in Camogie and the GAA across Carlow knew and above all respected Lester. A pure gentleman whose intention always was to improve every pic.twitter.com/atUmMXzX6t
— Carlow CountyCamogie (@CamogieCarlow) June 7, 2020
All at Comhairle Laighean are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the passing of our former colleague Lester Ryan. Lester served Games Development in the Province with distinction for almost 30 years.
Ar deis Dé go raibh a anam— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) June 7, 2020
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