Ricey Retires

[Tubberman]

class act.

He had some 'qualities', but not an ounce of class in the man.

[BennyHarp]

Thanks for all the hard work, effort, drive and will to win over the years Ricey. Although undoubtedly a master of the dark arts, this shouldn't overshadow the fact that he was actually a superb footballer who would have been a great addition to any team of any generation. He successfully created a persona that had alot of inter county players intimated before they even took the field to mark him - more fool them! Enjoy your retirement - another one that will be very hard to replace.

[EC Unique]

He should go into Pantos now. Could do well.

[5 Sams]

Des Cahill described him this morning as one of the great "characters" of the game....

That's one of your greatest euphemisms Des!!

[orangeman]

Whilst he will not have endeared himself to many outside of Tyrone, he was always one man you'd have wanted on your team.

He won most battles he fought in, had a huge rate of success and was a very important part of all conquering Tyrone team.

[supersarsfields]

They were all photoshopped. Sure look at the angles....

[Armamike]

He epitomised Tyrone (read into that what you like).

[stibhan]

Many teams have players like this - I mean, you've all been at club matches - but few have been given the attention that McMenamin has because he was in the spotlight for so long. To say he had limited ability is just a lie though, because that would mean that all the great players he marked over the years (and destroyed) were supposedly mentally weak.

He still shouldn't have sank his knees into John McEntee, though.

[trileacman]

Regardless of what you say he provided some good entertainment during his career. Crossed the line on several occasions but with the exception of the McEntee incident I don't think their was too many that there beyond the pale.

[Christmas Lights]

One of the nastiest snidiest and false players to grace the game in the last decade. There is no doubt he maximised his ability. For a player who wasn't that naturally gifted he made up for it with tenacity, will to win and relentless running. Let himself down on too many occasions to ever be liked outside of Tyrone. One of those characters who never liked to be liked.

Think its harsh to imply that he wasnt gifted as a footballer and that he got by on other qualities.  His use of the ball was top top class.  Very rarely was Ricey ever caught in possession or gave a ball away or a stray pass.   He also has probably been one of the best club players for Dromore in Tyrone this past 5-6 years.  His kick passing and vision is actually one of his stronger points of his game, not to mention his ball control and ball carrying abilities.
In the golden era, he fitness and driving runs from cornr back where a sight to behold, probably the best corner back in the country for a few years at his peak.

Can understand why people outside the county would have distain for him but he was an essential cog in the Tyrone team down through the years.  Its true he obivously loved being the bad guy which put him in the spotlight more than others. 

Top Top player.   

[Tony Baloney]

Regardless of what you say he provided some good entertainment during his career. Crossed the line on several occasions but with the exception of the McEntee incident I don't think their was too many that there beyond the pale.

Spitting at Marc O'Se and grabbing Galvin by the balls weren't beyond the pale? Youse set a low bar in Tyrone.

[Onion Bag]

Lovely fella

[Christmas Lights]

One of the nastiest snidiest and false players to grace the game in the last decade. There is no doubt he maximised his ability. For a player who wasn't that naturally gifted he made up for it with tenacity, will to win and relentless running. Let himself down on too many occasions to ever be liked outside of Tyrone. One of those characters who never liked to be liked.

Think its harsh to imply that he wasnt gifted as a footballer and that he got by on other qualities.  His use of the ball was top top class.  Very rarely was Ricey ever caught in possession or gave a ball away or a stray pass.   He also has probably been one of the best club players for Dromore in Tyrone this past 5-6 years.  His kick passing and vision is actually one of his stronger points of his game, not to mention his ball control and ball carrying abilities.
In the golden era, he fitness and driving runs from cornr back where a sight to behold, probably the best corner back in the country for a few years at his peak.

Can understand why people outside the county would have distain for him but he was an essential cog in the Tyrone team down through the years.  Its true he obivously loved being the bad guy which put him in the spotlight more than others. 

Top Top player.   

[Orior]

Despite all the above, Ryan is one of a very few Tyrone players that I have a respect for.

I believe he has had to fight harder than most to get to the pinnacle, and he managed to stay there for a good few years. Hope he enjoys his intercounty retirement.

Btw, is he related in any way to Wee Oscar?

[Redhand Santa]

He establishment in the Tyrone side could have been stymied if Decy McCrossan had remained at home to do his PGCE and had stayed with the Tyrone squad.  He was superior in so many ways to McMenamin and played the same part for Tyrone.

A ridiculous post. McMenamin would have been a key player for Tyrone no matter what. McCrossan was there in 03 and didn't make the team after the Ulster final. He was a very good player but not as good all round as McMenamin.

I don't believe McMenamin purposely spat at Marc O'Se despite what an earlier poster said. The McEntee incident was the one where he did cross line.