Tipperary nominate Templederry Kenyons native Ger Ryan to stand for GAA Presidency

Ger will bid to become the first Tipperary man to become GAA President in over half a century

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary GAA County Board unanimously agreed at its November County Committee meeting last night (Wednesday) in Thurles to nominate Ger Ryan of the Templederry Kenyons club to be a candidate for Uachtarán of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael at Congress in February 2026.

Chairperson of Munster GAA from 2022 to 2025, Ger will bid to become the first Tipperary man to become GAA President in over half a century, with the former GAA Coiste Bainistí and Ard Comhairle member seeking to follow in the footsteps of the late Séamus Ó Riain, who held the role from 1967 to 1970.

Ger Ryan has held a number of other key positions over the years in the GAA. He was Vice Chairperson of Munster GAA from 2019-22, Chairperson of Munster GAA Coaching & Games Committee 2019-22; PRO for Munster GAA 2014-17; PRO for Tipperary GAA 2009-13, and Tipperary Delegate to Munster Council 2017-19.

Ger has served on a number of national committees, including as Chair of the Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee (MSW) 2012-2018, Chair of the Communications Committee 2018-2021 and is currently Chair of the Central Referees Appointments Committee since 2024.

Ger has also held a number of roles within his native Tipperary, including Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of Tipperary Supporters Club fundraising body over 1999 to 2009 period; and Liaison and logistics officer for Tipperary senior hurling team 1999 to 2011. He was Chair of his club, Templederry Kenyons, from 1991-94 and held several other roles in the club and is a current Committee member.

He has made a very significant contribution to the GAA in Tipperary and beyond over many decades and Tipperary GAA looks forward to supporting Ger as he seeks the role of Uachtarán.

Wishing the current Chairperson of the Governing Body and Management Committee of Semple Stadium well in his bid, Tipperary County Chairperson Jimmy Minogue said that Ger Ryan has illustrated over the years his ability to deliver leadership and yet achieve consensus in many roles across the GAA.

“Ger Ryan has been a brilliant servant of the Association right through the ranks, from club to county, at provincial and national level.

“He has brought huge insight, professionalism, and leadership at all levels, but critically, he has done this while at the same time bringing people with him. These are characteristics that will be very much required as the GAA moves through a period of considerable change over the coming years and I’ve no doubt that Ger is the person to take up the mantle from Jarlath Burns and guide the Association through this.

“If the delegates at February’s Congress vote for Ger, they will be placing the Association in proven, capable and ultimately safe hands to guide it through the coming years.”

Expressing his appreciation for the nomination, Ger Ryan said, “After 30 plus years of involvement at all levels of administration in the GAA, it is an absolute privilege to be nominated to run for Uachtarán of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael.

“This Association is fundamentally an incredible and unmatched sporting and cultural organisation but one I truly feel is about more than sport. It is a glue for communities right across the island of Ireland, and indeed for many Irish communities abroad, giving people an identity and sense of place that no other organisation, and certainly no volunteer led organisation, does at this level today.

“The Association is remarkable in terms of the quality of our games, our players, our volunteers, and our facilities, from Croke Park itself right through to clubs across urban and rural Ireland. It has managed to deliver all of that through being volunteer led and amateur status, which is something incredible and unique. Preserving that amateur status is one of a number of significant challenges ahead that I believe I can help navigate the GAA through.

“Other key issues ahead for us include how we approach integration of the GAA, the Camogie Association and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association as well as dealing with significant demographic changes that are posing serious questions for the future of the Association in both rural and urban areas.”

He added: “I am deeply honoured by the opportunity afforded to me by my home county by way of nominating me to contest this election. I look forward to meeting and listening to people in the coming months as we collectively seek to continue to grow and enhance the GAA’s impact in terms of serving players, volunteers, supporters and indeed communities in Ireland and around the world.”