His father, Séamus Ó Riain, had played junior hurling and football with Tipperary in the 1940s before becoming a Gaelic games administrator.
He served in numerous roles with the Tipperary County Board and the Munster Council before becoming President of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1967.
[citation needed] Ryan first played competitive Gaelic football and hurling with the Moneygall club at juvenile and underage levels.
[citation needed] Ryan made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he was selected for the Tipperary minor hurling team in 1963.
[citation needed] Ryan's wife, Orla Ní Síocháin, was a three-time All-Ireland medal winner with the Dublin camogie team and a daughter of GAA General-Secretary Seán Ó Síocháin, while his son, Shane Ryan, was a six-time Leinster medal winner with the Dublin senior football team.