Born in Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ryan first played competitive hurling during his schooling at St. Flannan's College.
[1][2] Ryan simultaneously began his club career at juvenile and underage levels with Newmarket-on-Fergus.
[3] Ryan made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he joined the Clare minor team.
[4] By this stage Ryan had joined the Clare senior team, making his debut during the 2007 championship.
[9] He played for the university hurling team in the Fitzgibbon Cup, and was part of the side that lost the 2007 final.