24 hours to remember for Borris’ Ryan

By Shane Brophy

Patrick Ryan didn’t have to come to Nenagh CBS to achieve on the hurling field; he already had with club and county.

As a teak tough defender on the Tipperary All-Ireland minor winning team of 2024, the Borris-Ileigh clubman had the ambition of winning a Harty Cup. To that end, he transferred from St Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh to St Joseph’s CBS in Nenagh.

And incredibly, both educational institutions won Munster Post Primary Schools hurling titles within 24 hours of eachother last weekend, with Ryan quick to mention his former school and class-mates after his Harty Cup success with Nenagh CBS

“It’s just a relief. I can’t believe it even came true. Borris won yesterday, and I was delighted for them too, so to win today is unreal,” he said.

Ryan’s experience of winning a Minor All-Ireland in the backyard of Kilkenny less than two years ago, a team that also included Nenagh teammates Eoghan Doughan, Austin Duff and the injury stricken Billy O’Brien, meant playing St Flannan’s in Ennis held no fears for him.

“Woody (James Woodlock) instilled it in us to never give up, never say die, teamwork and all that,” Ryan added.

“This bunch, so many were on it and it carried onto this team and Donach (O’Donnell) instilled the same things into us since August and we have grown into a tightknit group, great friends since day one I came into the school.”