Ryan basks in Bouncers’ historic breakthrough

It was a case of third time lucky for Garryspillane when they defeated Kilmallock to become Limerick senior hurling champions for the first time recently. A key figure in their historic breakthrough was county star TJ Ryan, who shares his recollections on the success with Hogan Stand.

Garryspillane wrote themselves into the history books at the Gaelic Grounds on October 16 last when they overcame neighbours Kilmallock by 2-15 to 2-12 to land their first Limerick senior hurling championship title.

It was a joyous and emotional occasion for the Bouncers, who had suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Ahane at the same stage last year. Having also tasted defeat in their first county final appearance eight years ago, Garryspillane had no problem motivating themselves for what proved to be the greatest day in the club’s history.

“We were a long time waiting for this,” says Garryspillane’s best known hurler TJ Ryan.

“We experienced fierce disappointment last year when Ahane beat us with a late point, but that defeat was a huge motivating factor for us this year and made our victory all the sweeter.

“Since coming up from intermediate in 1996, we had been one of the most consistent teams in the championship without actually winning it. But they can’t say that about us anymore and it’s a great feeling to have finally got our hands on the Daly Cup.”
Along with his brothers Davy and Donie, TJ made a huge contribution to the success. Indeed, it was a memorable day for the whole Ryan family.

“It was a proud moment for all the family when Davy went up to collect the cup. Davy, Donie and myself were all on the team and this was something we had been striving to win for many years.

“I was also delighted for my parents, Dan and Esther, who had been a great influence on the three of us when we were growing up. Our sisters, Martina and Jackie, also gave us great support as did my wife Louise, whose brothers play for Knockainey, and my nine-year-old son Colin, who is playing underage hurling with Garryspillane.”

Garryspillane’s historic breakthrough was masterminded by Tony Considine, who had been part of Ger Loughnane’s backroom team when Clare won All-Ireland titles in 1995 and ’97. He was ably assisted by selectors Michael O’Brien and Jim Dooley, who doubles up as club chairman.

“Without Tony, I don’t think this would have happened for us. In 2003, we were nearly relegated, but Tony quickly turned our fortunes around after taking over last year. He got us to the county final at his first attempt before leading us to the Promised Land this year,” Ryan explains.

Garryspillane avenged last year’s final loss to Ahane when they defeated the same opposition in their opening game of this year’s campaign. It was somewhat ironic that a late goal from a Davy Ryan free decided the outcome. Further wins over Ballybrown and Patrickswell saw the Bouncers emerge from what had been dubbed ëThe Group of Death’ and qualify for a quarter-final meeting with Tournafulla which they won in convincing fashion.

A 4-16 to 1-20 victory over Croom saw Garryspillane through to the final where they squared up to South Limerick rivals Kilmallock, who were bidding for their first title since 1994 and their ninth in all. Despite being pitted against one of the traditional giants of Limerick hurling, Garryspillane were installed as clear favourites to win. And thanks to a late flurry of scores, they didn’t disappoint.

A rather lifeless first half was broken up by two penalty incidents. Leading by 0-5 to 0-3, Garryspillane were presented with a glorious opportunity to extend their advantage after 22 minutes when former county star Frankie Carroll was pulled down inside the square, but teenager Gavin O’Mahony blocked TJ Ryan’s effort.

Within two minutes, Kilmallock were awarded a penalty of their own and while Andrew O’Shaughnessy’s rasping shot was diverted to the left, he reacted quickest to finish the rebound past Darren Hayes in the Garryspillane goal.

The Ryan brothers, Davy and Donie, had fired Garryspillane into an early lead and Davy struck again before two pointed frees from O’Shaughnessy gave the underdogs a 1-5 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Frankie Carroll levelled minutes after the restart and Garryspillane hit the front when Pat Tobin found the net with his boot following a goalmouth scramble. When Donie Ryan knocked over two points to give the black and ambers a 1-10 to 1-5 lead, they looked to have broken Kilmallock’s resistance.

However, Gavin O’Mahony replied with a quick brace of points to spark Kilmallock into action and veteran Mike Houlihan snatched a dramatic goal to bring the teams level again at 2-7 to 1-10.

Almost immediately, Donie Ryan had Garryspillane back in front when his low shot from close range beat Killmallock goalkeeper Tom Hennessy. But the Bouncers were struggling to pull away as Colm Hickey and Pauide O’Dwyer exchanged points, and it took late scores from midfielder James Ryan and Frankie Carroll to make sure of a historic win.

“Even though we were favourites, I knew that it would be a tough battle. Kilmallock are our biggest rivals and there is never any more than a puck of a ball between us.

“They stuck with us for a long time and it was only in the closing stages that we managed to pull away. Kilmallock are a good team and I’ve no doubt that they will bounce back from this disappointment. They have a fantastic underage structure and their day will come,” TJ sportingly says. Garryspillane’s debut in the Munster club championship ended in a narrow defeat to seasoned Waterford outfit Ballygunner. “It was our first venture into the provincial series and it was obviously disappointing to fall at the first hurdle. Ballygunner are a very experienced side, but having said that, we felt we were capable of better. “We didn’t click up front, but it’s all part of the learning process and we can still look back on the year as being a success.”

Though over 50 years in existence, it has only been in recent years that the Garryspillane club has acquired a taste for success. TJ was just 16 when he played in goal on the team that beat Ardagh to win the county intermediate championship in 1990. The black and ambers won the intermediate championship again in 1996 when they defeated Mungret after a replay and the following year, they surpassed all expectations by reaching their first senior final which they lost to Patrickswell.

“The team has changed dramatically since ’97,” Ryan points out. “Frankie Carroll, Davy, Donie and I were the only links with this year’s team. Frankie and I also played in the intermediate final seven years earlier.”
TJ has been a regular on the Limerick senior team since 1994 and has played in two All-Ireland finals (’94 and ’96). The 31-year-old was the team’s free-taker this year and looks set to be handed the captaincy for 2006 in light of Garryspillane’s county final win.

“We made good progress this year, but unfortunately we didn’t beat any of the stronger counties. We’re not that far off the mark, and if we could take one or two big scalps next year, we could go a long way.”
When he’s not giving his all for club and county, TJ is employed as a Sales Manager with Cube Printing. Established 10 years ago by Brendan Ring and Frank Fitzsimons, Cube Printing is based in Eastway Business Park, Ballysimon and is now one of the biggest print companies in the mid west.

The Garryspillane team which captured the Limerick SHC title for the first time was: D Hayes; J Kiely, J Sheehan, A Noonan; C Hickey, Davy Ryan, T O’Donnell; J Ryan, M O’Donnell; TJ Ryan, P Tobin, M O’Brien; Donie Ryan, F Carroll, E Bourke. Sub: S Burke for O’Donnell.