Born in Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, Ryan was raised in a family that had a longstanding association with hurling.
[1] Ryan attended Templemore CBS and was part of the school's senior hurling team that beat St Flannan's College to win the Dr Harty Cup title in 1978.
[6] He later added a Munster Club SHC medal to his collection after Borris-Ileigh beat Clarecastle to claim their inaugural provincial title.
He immediately progressed to the under-21 team in 1980 and ended his debut season in that grade with an All-Ireland U21HC medal after a 2-09 to 0-14 win over Kilkenny in the final.
Tipperary hurling was going through a barren period for the first few years of Ryan's senior career, however, he won an All-Star award in 1986.
After surrendering their titles in 1990, Ryan won a fourth Munster SHC medal in five seasons after a 4-19 to 4-15 defeat of Cork.