a fourth by Noel McGrath to deny Kilkenny's drive-for-five and secure a remarkable and convincing 4-17 to 1-18 victory. It was Ryan's first All-Ireland winners' medal. Tipperary returned as provincial kingpins once again in 2011. A 7-19 to 0-19 trouncing of Waterford in the southern decider gave Ryan his first Munster medal. For the third successive year, Tipperary faced off against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, however, on this occasion Kilkenny were slight underdogs going up against the new champions. Kilkenny started quickly and never surrendered the lead in the 2-17 to 1-16 victory. In spite of an indifferent National League campaign, Tipperary were regarded as potential All-Ireland champions once again. A 2-17 to 0-16 defeat of Waterford in the provincial decider gave Ryan a second successive Munster medal. Tipperary later faced a humiliating 4-24 to 1-15 defeat by eventual champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final. On 23 November 2016, Ryan announced his retirement from inter-county hurling. Persistent injuries, including a double hip-surgery in 2013, had hampered his fitness. In a statement he said "In recent years injuries have limited my ability to compete for a first 15 place and that has been a major factor in my decision. It has been a great honour for me to represent my county at senior level. I will greatly miss being involved with the Tipperary senior hurling panel all of whom I admire greatly. I have many great memories and made many lifelong friendships during my time on the panel. I want to thank all the players sincerely and I also want to thank the managers and backroom teams who gave me the honour of representing my county and were always very supportive of me." Honours Team Templederry-Kenyons Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 2008 Tipperary All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 2010, 2016 Munster Senior Hurling Championship (5): 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2008 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2006 Individual GAA GPA All Stars Awards Nomination (2): 2010, 2011 References 1988 births Living people All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners Irish plumbers Templederry Kenyons hurlers Tipperary inter-county hurlers