Career
Ryan later served as manager of both the Limerick and Westmeath senior inter-county teams. Club
Ryan played his club hurling with his local club in Ballybrown. Inter-county
He started the 1974 All Ireland final as a right half back but Limerick were beaten by Kilkenny 3-19 to 1-13.
Limerick
Ryan took over as Limerick senior hurling manager from Philosophy Bennis in the late summer of 1993 and remained as manager until 1997.
He was removed immediately after that success following a frosty relationship with the Limerick county board officers. He was replaced as manager by Éamonn Cregan.
Westmeath
Ryan was appointed manager of the Westmeath senior hurling team in November 2003. After two unsuccessful years in this position, he stepped down in 2005.