[2] Ryan first appeared on the inter-county scene with Tipperary as a member of the junior team in 1939.
He was immediately called up to the senior team and won a Munster SHC medal in 1941.
[3][4] Ryan won a second provincial title four years later before claiming an All-Ireland SHC medal after a defeat of Kilkenny in the 1945 final.
He added a National Hurling League medal to his collection in 1949, in what was his last game for Tipperary.
His brothers, Paddy and Johnny Ryan, also claimed All-Ireland SHC medals with Tipperary.