Ryan played hurling as a schoolboy at Templemore CBS where he won consecutive Corn Phádraig titles and a Dr. Kinnane Cup in 1974 and 1975.[1] He first played for Borris–Ileigh at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's senior team. Ryan won two North Tipperary SHC titles and a Tipperary SHC title in 1981. His accountancy studies and subsequent career abroad brought a premature end to his hurling, however, he rejoined the Borris–Ileigh team and trained with them in advance of their defeat of Rathnure in the 1987 All-Ireland club final.[2]