Josh Ryan: ‘There was a possibility of losing a leg’

ON OCTOBER 16 in 2022, Josh Ryan broke his tibia in three places playing for Doon in the Limerick senior hurling championship semi-final against Kilmallock.

Ryan was unsure whether he would ever play sport again after that injury.

“I knew something wasn't right. I'm happy, I still have a leg in one sense because that was one of the fears with such an extensive break. There was a possibility of losing a leg. I don't think people realise the seriousness of the injury. Personally from where I was that day to where I am now, I'm extremely lucky,” Josh Ryan said.

Football is everything for the East Limerick man. He was sidelined for 17 months.

Josh Ryan made a miraculous recovery to line out for Limerick this year. Ryan has been part of the Limerick senior football panel since 2017.

“It was a lot of dedication, hardwork and tears. Some days were harder than others,” he explained.

The Oola man had moved between midfield and full forward prior to his injury.

Ryan made the switch to the goalkeeper position this year. 2022 was Josh Ryan's last time playing outfield for Limerick against Cork in June during the qualifiers. On March 16, 2024, Josh Ryan made his return from injury, but this time in goals.

Long-serving goalkeeper Donal O'Sullivan announced his retirement from inter-county football. This afforded the Mallow-based garda an opportunity. How different was it wearing the number one jersey?

“I had setbacks at the start of year with running. As the year went on, I got back to full training in March,” Ryan explained.

“Goalkeepers are so important with their ability now to come out the field. I didn't think it was too bad, I played in goals underage a small bit,” said the 2024 Limerick shotstopper.

The goalkeeper role was something very different for Josh Ryan.

“It was different to play as a goalkeeper at a high level. Playing out the field before, you have a pattern of thinking of how you might see the play run out. You play these situations in your head and how you would like it if you were someone receiving the kick-out. I'm just happy to be back playing which is the most important thing. Football is number one and it will always be number one.”

Jimmy Lee took over the Limerick senior footballers this year. It was a mixed year for the Shannonsiders. At the start of the year, they suffered relegation to Division Four. Lee's charges gradually improved as the year went on, defeating Offaly, London and Tipperary in the Tailteann Cup. However, Sligo defeated Limerick in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final.

“I'm hoping to get back out the field this year. I don't think we were poor at the start of the year. I just think we lacked execution in the final third,” he said.

“We just didn't take our opportunities. Had we taken our opportunities we wouldn't have been relegated to Division Four. As the year went on performances got better, we got more consistent. 2024 for Limerick, it was disappointing we got relegated, but we saw that we are still a good team and we still have capabilities of going away winning Division four this year.”

Promotion from Divsion Four is the biggest target for Limerick, acording to Josh Ryan in 2025.

“I think winning Division Four is a success this year. At the end of the day, it's all about silverware. I think there is massive capabilities within the group.

“Getting to a Tailteann Cup quarter-final was good for the group considering where we started off the year. There's no reason why we can't get to a Tailteann Cup semi-final this year.”

Ryan made the decision to opt off the Doon senior hurling squad this year in order to get his body right for the inter-county season.

“It was great seeing them get over the line. They're a team who have been knocking on the door in the last five years.
“I would have loved to be involved but at the end of the day you have to listen to your own body. I was prepared not to be playing in order to get my own body right.”

The Limerick footballer hopes to be back hurling with Doon at some stage. Ryan was in terrific form for Oola throughout the senior football championship where he was on target with 2-39.

He was part of the Munster inter-provincial team in October that played in Croke Park under the new rules.

“The sheer pace of those games was an element that stood out,” Ryan said.

“It's annoying that we have to have a football review committee to get more out of the game. I think these rules are good, it's good to have some change.”