Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins and Leitrim GAA mourn passing of Columba Cryan

Leitrim GAA is in mourning with the passing of Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins' Columba Cryan who, along with the now sadly departed Packie McGarty and Cathal Flynn, helped Connacht to a rare Railway Cup success in 1958 and was a member of the legendary Leitrim team of the 1950s and 1960s.

Cryan was honoured with McGarty and Flynn by the Leitrim Supporters Club Dublin branch in 2018 when they marked the 50th anniversary of that famous Railway Cup success with Connacht by honouring the trio of Leitrim footballers but typical of Columba Cryan, he downplayed his role in that historic success: "I was only a sub, I was sub three times and I got two medals. I have the photograph of the 53 team at home.

"It was difficult to get on the team. The two outstanding players were certainly Pakie McGarty and Cathal Flynn. I was a sub and that was it. I played some of the games, a small bit. I was a sub and I got a medal."

In an interview with Philip Rooney of the Leitrim Observer, Columba recalled the many tight battles they had with Galway with the Tribesmen invariably coming out on top with the '58 final still a vivid memory for Columba: "Over that period from the 50s to 1962 the only team we could not beat was Galway. We weren’t beaten by any of the other teams in that period that I remember up to 1962.

"It was Galway all the time that beat us. I have a photo at home of the ‘58 Connacht final that we almost won of a ball just going to the side of the post and wide.”

The late Columba Cryan pictured with the late Cathal Flynn, Eamonn McGarty and members of his family at the Leitrim Supporters Club function in Croke Park in 2018 Picture: Willie Donnellan

In a poignant touch, Columba Cryan's family were presented with the Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins Hall of Fame Award on Saturday night in The Island Theatre in Ballinamore, the award accepted by his daughter Pam on a night when the Club honoured their Leitrim SFC winning teams from 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972 & 1973.

Everyone at the Observer offers Columba's family and many friends our deepest sympathy on their great loss.

The following is a tribute to the late Columba Cryan submitted by Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins GAA Club: 

Columba Cryan – Legendary Leitrim Footballer – ar shlí na Firinne

Columba Cryan, a legendary figure on the Ballinamore and Leitrim football scene in the 1950s, passed away today, 5 May 2024.

Throughout the 1950s, Columba was recognised as one of Leitrim’s finest players, playing either at midfield or full forward. In 1952, Leitrim regraded to Junior, meaning that they opted out of the senior championship to concentrate on junior. It was a move which paid off as they won the Connacht Junior title. The All-Ireland semi-final was played in Pairc Sheáin Ui Eislin, before a reputed 5,000 attendance and, with Columba Cryan at full forward, Leitrim defeated Tipperary by 2-5 to 0-5. The final against Meath was in Breffni Park, but Leitrim lost.

Ten years later, in 1962, Leitrim again won the Connacht Junior title and Columba Cryan won his second Connacht Junior medal.

However, it was at senior level that Columba made his name as an outstanding player for Leitrim. In that glorious period (1957-1960) when Leitrim played in four Connacht finals in a row, all against Galway, Columba was a central figure in all of them. The nearest Leitrim got was to lose by two points in 1958, when Columba shaved the upright in the dying minutes. Columba’s brother-in-law, Leo Heslin from Aughavas, was a teammate on the Leitrim team in those years.

Leitrim’s most successful year ever, at National League level, came in 1959, when they reached the semi final, at a time when there were no divisions based on strength. Leitrim lost to Derry in Croke Park on that occasion, the only time Columba Cryan lined out for Leitrim in Pairc an Chrócaigh.

Ballinamore won the Senior Championship in 1956, largely due to a great midfield pairing of Columba Cryan and Brian Sweeney. For many many years, Columba and Brian travelled to matches together, no doubt reliving the great games they played together. Columba was captain of that 1956 winning team and his brother Josie was centre-half back.

Columba was the only Ballinamore player to possess a coveted Railway Cup medal. He was on the Connacht panel when they won in the years 1957 and 1958.

The Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins team, captained by Columba Cryan, who won the 1956 Leitrim SFC

Our sympathy to Columba’s wife, Kay, to his daughters, Fiona, Síne, Lisa, Pam and son Columba.

Suaimhneas na bhFlaitheas do cheann de na peileadóirí ab fhearr a d’imir le Liatroim agus cumann Sheáin Úi Eislin, Béal an Átha Móir.

Reposing on Monday, 6th May, at Smith's Funeral Home, High St., Ballinamore, N41 TD62, from 4pm until 6.30pm. Removal on Tuesday, 7th May, from his home to arrive at St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore, for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Oughteragh Cemetery, Ballinamore.