Christy Ring was born in Kilboy, near Cloyne in County Cork, in 1920. He discovered his love of hurling as a boy and went on to enjoy a remarkable career with Cork, making his senior debut in 1939. Over the following two decades, he won eight All-Ireland senior medals, captained Cork to three All-Ireland titles, and earned a record eighteen Railway Cup medals with Munster. Playing for the Cork club Glen Rovers, he also collected numerous county championship titles. Renowned for his speed, balance, courage, and scoring ability, Ring became an enduring symbol of Cork hurling. He died suddenly in Cork city in 1979, aged 58, and his funeral drew tens of thousands of mourners. His legacy lives on wherever hurling is played, a reminder of the skill and spirit that make Ireland's national games so deeply loved.