Living in Limerick, PJ Ryan's sister has 'fingers and toes crossed for Kilkenny'

A Kilkenny woman living in Limerick will be purring if the Cats win on Sunday - but admits she was tempted to post some fan mail to Gearoid Hegarty!

Ashley Ryan has lived in Rhebogue for more than 20 years, working for Avista, formerly the Daughters of Charity.
But her family is steeped in the history of Kilkenny hurling, with her brother none other than All-Star goalkeeper PJ Ryan, who was named man-of-the-match when the Cats beat Tipperary to win their fourth All-Ireland title on the spin.

Of course, it’s a record Limerick now have in their sights, and Ashley thinks that the challenge of preventing that from happening will give Derek Lyng’s side extra hunger.

“It's not going to be said publicly. But that's what they'll be saying in the dressing room,” she said.

“I remember very clearly in 2009 the pressure my brother was under, the whole team was under, when they were going for it. It became more about that than the game.

“I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for Kilkenny. I know Limerick will go in as favourites, but a bit of luck wouldn't go astray! Anything can happen on All-Ireland day,” Ashley added.

“I've so many grey hairs from going up supporting Kilkenny especially when PJ was playing, the nerves were unbelievable! It's such a relief to be off the hook now he doesn't play - I can sit and watch it in my home,” she smiled.

It was against Limerick in 2007 when PJ won his first Celtic Cross medal. “It was a magical day. Limerick came onto the pitch and the stadium shook. I'll never forget it!”

Her top memory came two years later when PJ had what she described as 'the game of his life', making 'four amazing saves' to deny Tipperary the title, becoming the first Cats’ keeper to win an All-Star title in decades.

Ashley loves living in Limerick - describing the city as 'a home away from home'. And she has a soft spot for her neighbour in Rhebogue, Gearoid Hegarty.

“I'll never forget after the All-Ireland last year, the greatest of respect to him, the way he treated the fans after, the time he spent. I was tempted to stick fan mail in his letterbox!”she joked.

As for a prediction, she admits: “My heart says Kilkenny, but my head says Limerick!”