Sidelined captain still keen to have a say

TIPPERARY'S WILLIE RYAN:IT'S HARD to think of a more awkward situation in the rituals that precede All-Ireland finals. Having been rolled out as one of three players entrusted with media duty for Tipperary's media afternoon, Willie Ryan must know the focus of conversation is likely to be his status as a largely non-playing captain in the lead-up to the big day.

To date this season, his lengthiest contribution has been in the second half of the Munster final when he scored three points and accepted the trophy after Tipperary's win over Waterford.

Nominated as captain by his club Toomevara at the start of the season, Ryan has worked away within the panel, but, as a non-starter, has seen Conor O'Mahony lead the team on the field.

It will actually be the last year in which the county champions will have the power of dictating who captains the county, as this traditional procedure has been changed by the county board. Coincidentally Ryan's counterpart on the Kilkenny panel, Michael Fennelly, is in the same position.

Although the situation isn't unique, it is the only time anyone can think of that both All-Ireland finalists have been in this position. Ryan makes the best of his quandary. "It's tough. Everyone wants to play and there's 35 lads want to start on the team, but that's the way the year has panned out. I haven't got to start, but I've been in no way negative about it and as I said to someone, I'd rather be sitting on the bench at an All-Ireland final rather than sitting at home watching it on the telly after playing in every match the whole year.

"It doesn't hang over me at all. Myself and Conor have things worked out and Liam (Sheedy) has everything in order so it's not an issue and hasn't been all year; we just go out and get on with it. At the end of the day having Tipp on top is what we want, no matter who goes up the steps - me or Conor. As long as someone goes up. We'll worry about the presentation if, hopefully, the time comes."

Having been sprung from the bench in the Munster final, he was still caught a bit on the hop by the presentation. Surely he had prepared a few words? "No, funnily enough I hadn't. And I got a bit of stick over that. Whatever came to me at the time is what I said. I suppose you don't think about, you just play the match and if the time comes hopefully you just go up and say a few words. But I don't think speeches are too important. It's about picking up silverware."

To date he hasn't done badly on that front, accumulating medals at under-age as well as being part of the current Tipp panel's success at provincial and league level in the past two seasons. Although most of his 13 championship appearances have been as a replacement he has also featured as a starter with his best display coming in the shock qualifier defeat of Cork two years ago when he shot 2-3.

Ryan was a prominent minor and under-21 winning Munster titles at both grades and he served an impressive apprenticeship in the Fitzibbon Cup winning two medals, as a fresher in 2004 and two years later when his three-goal salvo in the final was the biggest contribution to the comprehensive defeat of UCD.

He is remembered as a slightly-built skilful, scoring forward, who although not suited by the heavy pitches in January and February came through to play a major role in the 2006 campaign. The experience helped him to make the acquaintance of a number of Sunday's opponents and familiarise him with the Kilkenny mindset.

"The first year in college I won the Fitzgibbon with JJ (Delaney) and Brian Dowling, PJ Delaney and Eoin Reid. When they're involved in hurling they're serious. When they're on the field they're 100 per cent committed and would do anything to win."

The team will be released this evening but isn't expected to include the captain. Nonetheless his view of the situation was upbeat last week. "In training, as Liam said, anything can happen. Someone could get an injury and there's no point in resigning yourself to be a sub. There's going to be a couple of training matches and you've to put in maximum effort and if you're not starting, make sure you're in the top five (subs)."

Should he be called onto the winners' podium, in its new mid-pitch location, Ryan will be following in the footsteps of club-mates Tommy Dunne, who captained Tipperary's last winning team in 2001, and Matt Hassett 40 years previously. He sees the Toomevara legacy as more of an inspiration than a burden. "I don't see it as bringing any pressure at all. I remember '01 as clearly as yesterday. It was a great occasion for the club and the parish - Tommy coming in that night.

"But the club would never put any pressure on you or you wouldn't feel any pressure so I don't think that will be a factor. It's a fierce close parish in hurling terms and everyone wants to see you doing well. Everyone's behind you and as long as Tipp win , that's the important factor."

Willie Ryan

Club:Toomevara

Position:Left-corner forward

Age:24

Height:5ft 9in

Weight:12st 4lbs

Occupation:Sudent

Honours:NHL 2008, Munster SHC 2008 and '09, Fitzgibbon Cup, 2004 & 2006, Munster Under-21 2004 and MHC 2002