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In this issue we are looking at the career of Mary Bryan nee O’Sullivan who sadly passed away at the end of last month. Below is an obituary that we prepared for uploading to Badminton Ireland website

We are saddened to hear of the death of Mary Bryan, one of Ireland’s greatest ever players. She played for Ireland on more than 40 occasions and was a multiple winner of Irish Close and Open titles at Singles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. She twice reached the semi-final of the All-England Women’s Singles Championships, losing to the ultimate winner on both occasions. In partnership with Yvonne Kelly she also reached the semi-final of the All-England Women’s Doubles Championships. Together with Yvonne Kelly she was at the forefront of the women’s game in Europe and led Ireland to many successes in International competition. She was an outstanding member of Pembroke Badminton Club and helped them to a number of Irish Senior Cup successes She was an Honorary Life Member of Badminton Ireland, Leinster Branch and Pembroke Badminton Club.

On retiring from play she developed a strong interest in Coaching and was coach to the Irish team for a period. She was very considerably involved with National Coach Training Centre in developing the syllabuses for the various coaching qualifications in Ireland. She was director of Coaching in Leinster Branch for a number of years and initiated a number of valuable coaching programmes.

Whilst being very professional in her approach as a player and a coach she always gave the impression that her enjoyment of sport was an important matter for her. Many will have fond memories of occasions at the conclusion of tournaments and matches at her ability, often in conjunction with Jane Leslie, to write comic verses gently making fun of players and officials.

She will be very sadly missed by all who were lucky to have known her but particularly by her husband Eddie and daughters Eleanor, Grainne and Emma.
DOR

In the historical section are shown a very small number of Press items that cover her playing career. This does little justice to the contribution that Mary made to Irish Badminton off the court.

We have included a small number of photographs from various period of her playing career.

It is a pity that only a comparatively small number of the Badminton population have the knowledge to fully appreciate he career as a player and coach.

Dick O’Rafferty
Curator