Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan suffers ACL tear 

Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan celebrates scoring a two-pointer from a free late in the second half during the Tailteann Cup semi-final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Limerick football goalkeeper Josh Ryan, who was just a fortnight ago named on the Tailteann Cup 2025 team of the year, has suffered another career-threatening injury.

The towering Oola clubman tore his cruciate knee ligament in last weekend’s Limerick SFC relegation semi-final clash with Ballylanders.

Ryan, adopted the number one jersey for Limerick having returned from a separate injury which he picked up in 2022. He suffered a tibia break in three separate places while playing hurling with Doon, before eventually making a return in the spring of 2024, as Limerick’s goalkeeper.

He has remained the number one, in all bar game ever since, and helped Limerick to promotion from Division Four last season. His scoring contribution in the Tailteann Cup semi-final, as well as a penalty save, saw Limerick to a Championship final, where they fell short against Kildare.

The powerful Ryan was playing outfield in a crucial relegation semi-final last Saturday, which saw the east Limerick outfit prevail, by just a point, to extend their stay at the top grade into 2026.

The 27-year-old sustained this injury in the first half. This naturally curtailed his involvement and having undergone a scan earlier this week, it was confirmed that he has suffered a ‘complete tear’ on his right knee.

This leaves Limerick boss Jimmy Lee with a void between the posts, as they look to build on an impressive 2025. 

Understudy Jeffrey Alfred of Adare is the likely replacement, while another senior panellist, Ronan McElligott of Mungret St. Paul’s, has also impressed in domestic competition.

Those two will do battle on Saturday afternoon in the first of the Limerick SFC semi-finals (1pm), as holders Adare look to reach an eight final since a winning breakthrough in 2017. Mungret St. Paul’s have contested the Fr. Casey Cup just once, in 2001.

Newcastle West meet Fr. Casey’s of Abbeyfeale in the second last four clash, at 3pm. The Magpies are expected to advance though Fr. Casey’s have slowly found some form after a sluggish start in the Autumn.

Meanwhile at 2pm, Ballylanders and Na Piarsaigh are both looking for an all-important first win of the 2025 Championship in the Relegation Play-off. Both sides have lost all six outings to date.