T. J. Ryan

T. J. Ryan (born 12 November 1974) is an Irish hurling selector and player.

He is a former manager of the Limerick senior hurling team.

Born in Garryspillane, County Limerick, Ryan first arrived on the inter-county scene when he first linked up with the Limerick minor team, before later joining the under-21 side.

He first came to prominence as a member of the club's under-12 team, capturing a county championship medal in 1986.

Beginning his inter-county career with the Limerick minor team in 1992, Ryan later joined the under-21 team but enjoyed little success in either grade.

He made his senior debut during the 1994 championship.

Ryan played a key role for Limerick for over a decade and won two Munster medals and one National Hurling League medal.

He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

Ryan was just nineteen when he made his senior championship debut on 5 June 1994 in a 4-14 to 4-11 Munster quarter-final defeat of Cork.

He later lined out in his first provincial decider with Clare providing the opposition.

A 0-25 to 2-10 rout gave Limerick their first provincial title in thirteen years and gave Ryan his first Munster medal.

Limerick subsequently qualified to meet Offaly in the All-Ireland final.

It looked as if Ryan's side were going to make history and claim the title as Limerick had a five-point lead with as many minutes left.

Offaly suddenly sprang to life following a Johnny Dooley goal from a close-in free.

Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball up the field and Pat O'Connor struck for a second goal.

The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3-16 to 2-13 victory.

It was a bitter blow for Limerick who looked as if they had one hand on the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

After little success at minor level, Ryan was a member of the Garryspillane under-21 team that secured the championship title in 1995.

By this stage he had already moved onto the club's senior team.

Limerick surrendered their Munster title to Clare in 1995, however, both sides met in the opening round of the championship the following year.

Ryan's side emerged victorious thanks to a remarkable point from Ciarán Carey, described by many as the greatest match-winner of all-time.

Limerick later faced Tipperary in the provincial final and looked to be heading out of the championship as Tipp took a ten-point lead.

Ryan's side battled back to secure a 0-19 to 1-16 draw and a second chance to defeat their near rivals.

The replay also saw Tipperary take a decisive lead, however, Limerick's goal-scoring ability was the deciding factor.

A 4-7 to 0-16 score line gave Limerick the title and gave Ryan a second Munster medal.

The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Limerick against Wexford for the first time in over forty years.

The game was far from a classic, however, it did provide excitement.

Tom Dempsey was the hero of the day as he scored a goal after nineteen minutes to give Wexford a major advantage.

He won a county intermediate championship title in 1996, as Garryspillane gained promotion to the top flight of club hurling in Limerick.

After championship decider defeats by Patrickswell in 1997 and by Ahane in 2004, it was third time lucky for Garryspillane in 2005.

A 2-15 to 2-12 defeat of near neighbours Kilmallock gave Ryan a Limerick Senior Hurling Championship medal.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Ryan won two Railway Cup medals in 2000 and 2001.

At club level he is a one-time championship medallist with Garryspillane.

Throughout his inter-county career Ryan made 40 championship appearances for Limerick.

He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 25 July 2006.

In retirement from playing Ryan became involved in team management and coaching at club and inter-county levels.

He had a successful tenure as manager of the Kilworth club team, before later being appointed selector with the Limerick senior team and manager with the Limerick under-21 team.

Ryan played his last club game on 11 September 2009 in a 1-15 to 1-9 relegation play-off defeat of Tournafulla.

Ryan was appointed joint-manager of the Limerick senior team in 2013, taking full responsibility the following year after the departure of Dónal O'Grady.

Ryan plays his club hurling with the local Garryspillane team and has enjoyed much success in a club career that has spanned three decades.