Hall of famer Linda has links to Fethard

THE DAUGHTER of a Wexfordman was inducted into the hall of fame by the San Francisco G.A.A. Board recently. The honour was bestowed on Linda Ryan, a native of the city, who is the fourth of five girls to Peter Ryan from Fethard and his wife, Clare, who hails from the Banner county.

After spending some time in Los Angeles, Linda returned to San Francisco in the late 1990s, joining Golden Ladies at the urging of her sister, Patty. It wasn’t long before she represented the club at Western Divisional Board meetings.

In 2001, Linda took the position of P.R.O. on the Board, holding it for a number of years. In the pre-social media era, she enjoyed reaching out to the news and print media and pitching them on G.A.A.-related features. Highlights of her time as P.R.O. include a large, two-page spread on San Francisco G.A.A. in the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as news clips on local television outlets KGO/ Channel 7, CBS/Channel 5 and FOX/Channel 2.

Linda has also served as Chairperson and manager with her club, Clan Na Gael, volunteered at numerous North American and Continental Youth championships, and, most recently, served on fundraising committees for both the adult and youth G.A.A.

At the hall of fame celebration, Linda was joined by her mother Clare, sister Patty and brother-in-law Batt Cronin, her husband Declan McConn - one of the biggest G.A.A. supporters in Bay Area - and numerous friends and past players from Golden Gate Ladies and Clan Na Gael. Linda’s late father, Peter Ryan, lined out with the St. Mogue’s club before emigrating, and her cousin’s son, Colm Ryan, is an active player at present.