Goalkeeper Ryan joins Kilkenny exodus

GOALKEEPER PJ Ryan last night became the third Kilkenny star to retire from intercounty hurling in recent weeks.

Ryan joined the squad in 2002 and won seven senior All-Irelands, nine Leinster championships and five National Leagues during a distinguished career. But the Fenians, Johnstown club man has joined James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale Shamrocks) and Eddie Brennan (Graigue-Ballycallan) in leaving the senior panel.

Ryan admitted: “I leave with no regrets. I arrived with nothing but hope, and I left with a pocketful of medals. I was blessed to be part of Kilkenny hurling during a golden era.”