He played hurling with his local club Carrick Davins and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team from 1968 until 1975.
He won a Munster title in this grade in 1965, however, Tipp were later beaten by Wexford in the All-Ireland final.
That year he collected a second Munster title before later winning an All-Ireland medal following a victory over Dublin in the championship decider.
Three years later in 1971 Ryan captured a second senior Munster title as Tipp had a one-point win over Limerick courtesy of a last-minute free by Michael 'Babs' Keating.
Tipp later played Kilkenny in the first All-Ireland final to be broadcast in colour by Raidió Teilifís Éireann.