Ring, Christy (Christopher Nicholas) (1920–1979)

Irish hurler, born in Cloyne, County Cork. A nimble team member who played at half forward and left full forward, Ring won eight All-Ireland titles with Cork between 1941 and 1954. Only a brilliant save from the Wexford keeper Art Foley deprived him of a record ninth. It was a measure of the esteem in which Ring was held that, after that game, he was chaired off the field on the shoulders of the victorious and very sporting Wexford side. His vast array of skills made him extremely hard to mark. He was the leading player of his generation, and arguably the greatest hurler the country has ever produced.