# Lester Ryan

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For the other Irish hurler, see [Lester Ryan (hurler, born 1988)](/source/Lester_Ryan_(hurler,_born_1988)). For the Montserratian sprinter, see [Lester Ryan (athlete)](/source/Lester_Ryan_(athlete)).

**Lester Ryan** (18 April 1959 – 6 June 2020) was an Irish [hurler](/source/Hurling) who played as a midfielder at club level with [Clara](/source/Clara_GAA) and at inter-county level with the [Kilkenny senior hurling team](/source/Kilkenny_senior_hurling_team). His brother, [Harry Ryan](/source/Harry_Ryan_(hurler)), and his nephew, [Lester Ryan](/source/Lester_Ryan_(hurler_born_1988)), were [All-Ireland Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship)-winners with Kilkenny.

## Playing career

### St. Kieran's College

As a student at [St. Kieran's College](/source/St._Kieran's_College) in [Kilkenny](/source/Kilkenny_(city)), Ryan played hurling at all levels before being added to the college's senior team. He was just 15-years-old when he claimed a [Leinster Colleges Championship](/source/Leinster_Colleges_Senior_Hurling_Championship) title as a non-playing substitute in 1975, after a 6–12 to 4–03 victory over [Birr](/source/Birr,_County_Offaly)'s Presentation College. Ryna later claimed an [All-Ireland Colleges Championship](/source/Dr._Croke_Cup) medal after coming on as a substitute in the 6–09 to 2–03 defeat of Coláiste Iognáid Rís in the [All-Ireland final](/source/Dr._Croke_Cup).[1]

### Clara

Ryan was still eligible for the minor grade when he was first selected to play at adult level with the [Clara](/source/Clara_GAA) junior hurling team. He claimed his first silverware as a non-playing substitute in 1977 when Clara defeated [Tullogher](/source/Tullogher-Rosbercon_GAA) by 3–12 to 2–04 to win the [Kilkenny Junior Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Junior_Hurling_Championship). After claiming an under-21 championship medal in 1979, Ryan lined out in his first adult county final in 1982 when Clara faced [Carrickshock](/source/Carrickshock_GAA) in the [Kilkenny Intermediate Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship) final. He ended the game with a [winners' medal](/source/Kilkenny_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship) after playing at midfield in the 0–13 to 0–09 victory.

After four years in the [Kilkenny Senior Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship), Clara qualified to meet [Ballyhale Shamrocks](/source/Ballyhale_Shamrocks_GAA) in the [1986 final](/source/1986_Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Final). Ryan scored four points from frees and claimed a [winners' medal](/source/Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship) after the 3–10 to 4–05 victory.[2] He lined out in a second senior decider when Clara faced [Glenmore](/source/Glenmore_GAA) in the [1990 final](/source/1990_Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Final) but ended the game on the losing side after a 3–15 to 2–06 defeat.

### Kilkenny

#### Minor and under-21

Ryan first played for Kilkenny when he was drafted onto the minor team alongside his brother [Harry](/source/Harry_Ryan_(hurler)) in advance of the [1975 Leinster Minor Championship](/source/1975_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship). In his debut season, he claimed a [Leinster Minor Championship](/source/Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship) as a substitute after a 2–18 to 3–04 defeat of [Dublin](/source/Dublin_GAA) in the [final](/source/1975_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship) before later winning an [All-Ireland Minor Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship) medal after again lining out as a substitute in the 3–19 to 1–14 victory over [Cork](/source/Cork_GAA). Ryan collected a second successive Leinster Minor Championship medal as a non-playing substitute in [1976](/source/1976_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship), however, Kilkenny suffered a 2–20 to 1–07 defeat by [Tipperary](/source/Tipperary_GAA) in the subsequent [All-Ireland final](/source/1976_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship). Eligible for the minor team for a third successive season, he broke onto the starting fifteen as first-choice goalkeeper for the [1977 Leinster Minor Championship](/source/1977_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship). Ryan collected his third provincial winners' medal, his first on the field of play, before later winning a second All-Ireland medal after the 1–08 to 0-09 [All-Ireland final](/source/1977_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship) defeat of Cork in what was his last game in the minor grade.

Ryan was in his final year of being eligible for the Kilkenny under-21 team when he was appointed captain in advance of the [1980 Leinster Under-21 Championship](/source/1980_All-Ireland_Under-21_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Under-21_Hurling_Championship). He won his only [Leinster Under-21 Championship](/source/Leinster_Under-21_Hurling_Championship) title that year after a 2–14 to 2–09 defeat of Wexford in the [final](/source/1980_All-Ireland_Under-21_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Under-21_Hurling_Championship). Ryan later led the team to an [All-Ireland final](/source/1980_All-Ireland_Under-21_Hurling_Championship_Final) appearance against Tipperary, however, he ended his underage career with a 2–09 to 0–14 defeat.

#### Senior

After success at club level with [Clara](/source/Clara_GAA), Ryan was a late addition to the Kilkenny senior panel during the [1982-83 National League](/source/1982-83_National_Hurling_League). He was an unused substitute when Kilkenny secured the league title after a 2–14 to 2–12 defeat of [Limerick](/source/Limerick_GAA) in the [final](/source/1982%E2%80%9383_National_Hurling_League#Knock-out_stage) but was dropped from the panel for the subsequent [championship campaign](/source/1983_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship).[3] After being again omitted from the panel the following year, Ryan impressed in a series of tournament games and earned a recall prior to the start of the [1985 Leinster Championship](/source/1985_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship). He made his championship debut on 26 May 1985 when he came on as a 52nd-minute substitute for [Richie Power](/source/Richie_Power_(hurler,_born_1957)) in a 1–30 to 1–10 defeat of [Westmeath](/source/Westmeath_GAA).[citation needed]

Ryan broke onto the starting fifteen during the [1985-86 National League](/source/1985-86_National_Hurling_League) and claimed a second winners' medal in that competition after Kilkenny's 2–10 to 2–06 victory over [Galway](/source/Galway_GAA) in the [final](/source/1985-86_National_Hurling_League#Knock-out_stage). He later won his first [Leinster Championship](/source/Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) medal after lining out at right corner-forward in the 4–10 to 1–11 victory over [Offaly](/source/Offaly_GAA).[4] Ryan was switched to midfield the following year and claimed a second successive Leinster Championship medal after a second successive victory over Offaly in the [1987 Leinster final](/source/1987_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship). He was again at midfield when Kilkenny suffered a 1–12 to 0–09 defeat by Galway in the [1987 All-Ireland final](/source/1987_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final).[5]

Ryan claimed a third National League medal after Kilkenny clinched the [1989-90 title](/source/1989%E2%80%9390_National_Hurling_League) following wins over [Wexford](/source/Wexford_GAA) and [New York](/source/New_York_GAA). By the start of the [1991 Leinster Championship](/source/1991_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship), he had lost his place on the starting fifteen, however, he collected a third provincial winners' medal after coming on as a substitute for Richie Power in the 1–13 to 1-11 [Leinster final](/source/1991_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) victory over Dublin.[6] Ryan was an unused substitute when Kilkenny suffered a 1–16 to 0–15 defeat by Tipperary in the [1991 ALl-Ireland final](/source/1991_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship_Final) in what was his last appearance for the team.[7]

### Leinster

Ryan's performances at inter-county level saw him secure selection for the [Leinster](/source/Leinster_GAA) inter-provincial team. He claimed his sole [Railway Cup](/source/Railway_Cup) medal after lining out at midfield in Leinster's 2–14 to 1–12 victory over [Connacht](/source/Connacht_GAA) in the [1988 final](/source/1988_Railway_Cup_Hurling_Championship).

## Coaching career

Ryan, who previously worked as a car salesman, worked in an official capacity as a coaching officer with the [Leinster Council](/source/Leinster_GAA). In 2008 he served as manager of the [Ireland national hurling team](/source/Ireland_national_hurling_team) and guided them to a 1–10 to 1–09 victory over [Scotland](/source/Scotland_national_shinty_team) in the annual [Shinty-Hurling International Series](/source/Shinty-Hurling_International_Series).[8]

## Death

On 6 June 2020, Ryan died in a traffic collision when his bicycle collided with a tractor in [Gowran](/source/Gowran), [County Kilkenny](/source/County_Kilkenny), aged 61.[9]

## Honours

### Player

**St. Kieran's College**

- [All-Ireland Colleges Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Dr._Croke_Cup) (1): 1977
- [Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Leinster_Colleges_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (1): 1977

**Clara**

- [Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (1): [1986](/source/1986_Kilkenny_Senior_Hurling_Championship)
- [Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Intermediate_Hurling_Championship) (1): 1982
- [Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship](/source/Kilkenny_Junior_Hurling_Championship) (1): 1977

**Kilkenny**

- [Leinster Senior Hurling Championship](/source/Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship) (3): [1986](/source/1986_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship), [1987](/source/1987_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship), [1991](/source/1991_All-Ireland_Senior_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Senior_Hurling_Championship)
- [National Hurling League](/source/National_Hurling_League) (3): [1982-83](/source/1982-83_National_Hurling_League), [1985-86](/source/1985-86_National_Hurling_League), [1989-90](/source/1989-90_National_Hurling_League)
- [Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship](/source/Leinster_Under-21_Hurling_Championship) (1): [1980](/source/1980_All-Ireland_Under-21_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Under-21_Hurling_Championship)
- [All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship) (2): [1975](/source/1975_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship), [1977](/source/1977_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship)
- [All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship](/source/All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship) (3): [1975](/source/1975_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship), [1976](/source/1976_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship), [1977](/source/1977_All-Ireland_Minor_Hurling_Championship#Leinster_Minor_Hurling_Championship)

**Leinster**

- [Railway Cup](/source/Railway_Cup) (1): [1988](/source/1988_Railway_Cup_Hurling_Championship)

### Manager

**Ireland**

- [Shinty-Hurling International Series](/source/Shinty-Hurling_International_Series) (1): 2008

## References

1. O'Riordan, Ian (20 February 2001). ["Flannan's alone in seeking a double"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/flannan-s-alone-in-seeking-a-double-1.282999). Irish Times. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

1. O'Connor, Christy (14 November 2014). ["Clara ready to make history after long fight for respect"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/clara-ready-to-make-history-after-long-fight-for-respect-30746453.html). Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

1. O'Connell, Jerome (27 March 2020). ["Limerick hurlers back-to-back National League champions 84/85"](https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/529524/limerick-hurlers-back-to-back-national-league-champions-84-85.html). Limerick Leader. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

1. Moran, Seán (18 August 2005). ["Galway inspired modern tactics"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/galway-inspired-modern-tactics-1.481530). Irish Times. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

1. ["'Older people in Galway remember us, but the young people need new heroes and new stars'"](https://www.the42.ie/noel-lane-galway-kilkenny-2292105-Aug2015/). The 42. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

1. ["Dublin make welcome return to Leinster hurling final"](https://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/113964). Hogan Stand. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 9 May 2020.

1. Ryan, Larry (2 September 2016). ["Michael Cleary: We almost felt we were playing for two All-Irelands"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/michael-cleary-we-almost-felt-we-were-playing-for-two-all-irelands-418987.html). Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 May 2020.

1. ["Hurling reputations thrown aside by brave young Scots"](http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/top-stories/ShintyHurling-Hurling-reputations-thrown-aside.4607675.jp). The Scotsman. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2009.

1. ["Former Kilkenny hurler Ryan dies in road accident"](https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0607/1145914-former-kilkenny-hurler-ryan-dies-in-road-accident/). 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Lester Ryan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Ryan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Ryan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.