Ryan ready for sting in Premier tail

Kilkenny netminder PJ Ryan is not surprised that Tipperary will provide his team with final opposition on the biggest day of the hurling calendar this weekend and is mindful of the display they served up in the corresponding fixture last year.

Ryan is now in his second year as the established custodian of the goals for Brian Cody’s team after serving a long apprenticeship under James McGarry, and it was his display in last year’s final that really earned his stripes, winning him a GAA All Star award and underlining the quality of McGarry’s replacement.

That the counties meet in the final for the second consecutive season has added further intrigue to the 2010 decider and after witnessing first hand the potential that exists in the ranks of the Premier County panel 12 months ago, Ryan is no way surprised to see Liam Sheedy’s charges back in the final and standing between the Cats and a possible fifth consecutive All-Ireland success.

“I’m not surprised to see them back,” states Ryan. “Last year in the final they could have won it.

“When we were three or four down with 10 minutes to go you are starting to get a bit worried. I never looked up at the scoreboard once until 58 or 59 minutes and I remember thinking that we needed to start getting the scores from somewhere. However when you have the lads up front you are always in with a fighting chance.

“I think Tipperary got caught on the hop this year going down to Cork. They might have taken their eye off the ball a small bit but I wasn’t overly surprised by it because Cork are hard to beat there.

“After last year’s final Tipp were very disappointed and they obviously made up their mind that they would be back in 12 months time to try and win it again and they are after living up to the promise.

“I had no doubt that they would bounce back. I think it galvanised them really. They found their form and they are flying again.

“I saw them against Waterford on TV. They never looked in trouble and they won it even more convincingly than the scoreboard suggested.

“They are dangerous team with great forwards and every time they get the ball they are threatening a score. You also have lads like Conor O’Mahony, Pádraic Maher and Paul Curran in the backs. They are formidable. It will take a huge effort and performance from us and we know that but we’re there and that’s all you can ask for.”

When you’ve waited for as long for ownership of the number one jersey as Ryan did, the chances of taking it for granted are slim.

It’s in that context that he views his starting position in the team. He assumed pole position in the battle for the spot between the sticks in early 2009 and never looked back but he admits that he was unsure about how things would unfold when he got his big chance.

“I never took it for granted,” points out the Thurles CBS educated Fenians’ clubman.

“I was in the goal for the first couple of league games last year but I didn’t know really how things would work out.

“I basically thought James was having a break and would return to training later on and when he did come back I expected James to back in goal but luckily enough I held onto it.

“There is pressure on you from day one to keep your place on the panel – there’s pressure on everyone going into big matches. I suppose you wouldn’t want to be looking at the pressure because if you do, you will tense up.

“However, you wouldn’t ever want to take it for granted that you’re going to be the number one because the day that you do is the day that you’re ruined.”

This weekend Kilkenny team manager Brian Cody will man a familiar line in the shadow of the Hogan Stand. Theatrics and displays of outward emotion will be kept to a premium as a cool demeanour will accompany the sideline duties and the crucial calls at vital intervals of what is a hugely anticipated clash.

It’s impossible to overestimate his role in a run that leaves the county on the cusp of a first-ever five-in-a-row in either Senior inter-county hurling or football.

His goalkeeper doesn’t play down the influence of the James Stephens’ clubman but believes the simple outlook of maximising what can be a limited inter-county career is another driving force for a panel that is totally focused on the enjoyment of hurling and the accumulation of honours.

Speaking of Cody he says: “He’s very driven. He’s hurling mad really. If the ‘Village were playing an U14 or U16 match he’d be at it. If any clubs ask him to do anything like present medals or whatever he will do it at the drop of a hat. He’s very passionate about hurling.

“I suppose for the panel, the appetite starts with getting on the panel. We grew up watching great teams and every youngster wants to hurl with the county. Any hurler in the county wants to be on the Kilkenny panel and we’re lucky enough to be those players at the moment. The career doesn’t last forever and you have to make the most of it.

“You only have to go to a Club match in Kilkenny to see how the players tear into it aswell. You only get eight or nine years at the top if you are lucky. When you’re gone, you’re gone. You take the chance when it comes and it you’re lucky enough to win a few things along the way even better.”

A simple philosophy behind a dynasty that could by Monday morning be the most formidable the game has ever known.

For an exclusive final day piece with the Kilkenny goalkeeper see the 2010 GAA Hurling Match Day programme available at Croke Park for €5.