Colin Ryan was never going to turn down John Kiely's request for Limerick return

BACK WITH A BANG: Limerick's Colin Ryan with his cup after winning the senior hurling and overall competition during the M. Donnelly GAA Poc Fada All-Ireland final at Annaverna Mountain in Cooley Peninsula, Louth. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

John Kiely had a job for Colin Ryan when he called him out of the blue last Autumn, just not the type that the long puck champion was expecting.

Ryan's return to the Limerick setup as deputy goalkeeper behind Nickie Quaid was one of the surprise stories of the 2026 hurling season.