Toome captain Ryan inspired by golden era

Toomevara captain Liam Ryan was one of those for whom the clubs golden era was a joy as a kid.

By Shane Brophy

Between 1992 and 2008, Toomevara won the county senior hurling title eleven times as trips to Semple Stadium for big games became second nature, as well as visits by his heroes with the Dan Breen Cup to the local primary schools, including Liam’s own Kilkeary National School.

“It felt like we were going to Thurles ever year,” admitted the now 26-year-old looking back on his days as a young supporter.

“They had some great teams in those years.

“My father was huge into it, and we would have been to all the games, going over and back to Thurles, and the games in Munster, I think we were down in Kerry at one stage, following them everywhere.

“It was great, they were coming into the school after the county final and there was a right buzz. You’d know all the players, and they were nearly as big as the county stars to us.”

All good things come to an end and for Toomevara and since that 2008 final win over Thurles Sarsfields, next Sunday will be the clubs first final appearance since then, including a one year period in the Seamus O Riain Cup in 2017, which they won to begin their rise once again.

“It was tough coming off the back of all the success,” Ryan said of the next generation of players stepping into the shoes of some of the clubs greats.

“It can be hard as you are always being compared to the good teams, but you have to put your own stamp on it as well.

“When we did get up (2017) the momentum kept us going and got to the senior semi-final in 2018 but didn’t get over the line against Clonoulty.

“We then had a couple of years where we were kind of stale, but we have brought on a few young lads, and they have reignited the whole thing again, so it is great to be back in the final again.

“The week since the semi-final has been unreal, the flags and banners out everywhere and there is a right buzz around, and if we could get over the line it would be even better.”

The appointment of Ken Dunne as manager in 2023 has brought things to a new level, reaching a semi-final last year, losing to eventual winners Kiladangan before taking the extra step this year as they aim for a 22nd county title on Sunday.

“He has been brilliant since he came in last year,” Ryan said of his manager who won nine county titles in his playing career, many as the teams dead-eye dead-ball specialist.

“He got his team together, got Shane (Hassett) in and he has been brilliant as well. This year he freshened up again with Frannie (Devaney) coming in, another man with lots of medals. He doesn’t say too much but when he does you listen and take it on board.

“Ken is the same, he has been through it and been there and done it. We would have all looked up to Ken, some of us would have lucky enough hurl with him towards the back end of his career so he has been brilliant for the last two years.”

Liam admits himself he isn’t the most vocal of captains, preferring to lead by his play on the field, with the growing experience of the panel key in their development in recent years.

“We are lucky enough that there is a few lads around my age and a little bit older so we do have leaders all over the field, from Andrew (Ryan) to Darren (Delaney) in the forwards so there is no real need to me to stand up and give speeches,”

Ryan said but he does like the thought of fulfilling the ambition he would have had as a young boy in Kilkeary to walk up the steps of the O Riain stand in Semple Stadium to lift the Dan Breen Cup, and it is very close.

“That is always the dream when you play for any club team is to win county finals,” concluded the Toomevara skipper.