Colin Ryan: 'This current crop of Clare hurlers have really developed a rivalry with Limerick'

COLIN Ryan lined out for the Clare senior hurlers between 2007 and 2017, winning an All-Ireland senior hurling championship title in 2013.

Ryan has fond memories of attending Clare and Limerick games as a child in the 1990's. The game between Limerick and Clare in 1996 is a game which stands out for the former Clare hurler.

“We have that one memory of Ciaran Carey running up the field which kind of haunted us a small bit.”

Ryan's favourite memory playing against Limerick during his senior hurling inter-county career was the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final.

“It's probably the biggest game we played eac hother in. We both hadn't had much success for a long time. In 2013 we both came out of the doldrums and both ourselves and Limerick probably saw that their was a chance of winning an All-Ireland. It was the start of Limerick's journey and the start of Clare coming back on the radar. That 2013 memory was probably my biggest memory of playing Limerick.”

The rivalry between the counties has always been a healthy one, according to the Newmarket-On-Fergus clubman.
“Limerick are our neighbours and there is so much history and tradition between us. This current crop of Clare hurlers have really developed a rivalry with Limerick."

“Unfortunately for Clare at the minute, it's a bit like Liverpool and Man City, you can be so good but if you're second best you don't win anything. I'm sure for these Clare lads, they will want to get this monkey off their back and beat Limerick in a big occasion.”

Clare were defeated by Limerick in the opening round of the Munster senior hurling championship on a final scoreline of 3-15 to 1-18. Since that result, the ‘Banner’ county recorded three victories over Cork, Waterford and Tipperary. Colin Ryan feels now is the time for Brian Lohan's side to deliver silverware.

“For Clare, at the minute there is probably a bit of jealousy there. They want to beat Limerick and they don't want to be the bridesmaids in this relationship. Until Clare beat Limerick, they're going to be looking at this as a bit of a failure. Clare are going to be looking at this to turn Limerick over.”

The Munster final games between Limerick and Clare have gone right down to the wire in the last three years, in 2022 Limerick prevailed after extra-time, while in 2023 Limerick came out on top by the minimum.

“When you look at how Clare match up with Limerick, they're very even. They're both strong and it allows for an intense game. It's an opportunity for Clare but I think there is going to be a small bit of apprehension in terms of what has happened in recent times.”

Ryan expects Clare to keep things more or less the same personnel wise and hold Tony Kelly in reserve.

“We've seen that you need to finish the game well and Clare are going to want an impact off the bench. Tony is going to want to play and I get that. I think if you hold him in reserve the lift you will get from the Clare crowd and having that leadership to come on and finish out the game will give Clare a huge lift.”

The former Clare freetaker has been impressed by Limerick's performances this year.

“It says it all really, they're going for five All-Irelands in-a-row and six Munster titles in-a-row. They're just an exceptional side, one of the best ever. You can't write Limerick off, they've just been so good at proving people wrong."

“Players are just hitting form at the right time, Kyle Hayes had a brilliant game against Waterford and Shane O'Brien comes on and does a job."

“Limerick aren't going to let any team have it easy.”