Lester Ryan facts for kids

Lester Ryan (born 18 April 1959 – died 6 June 2020) was a famous Irish hurler. He played as a midfielder for his local club team, Clara. He also played for his county team, the Kilkenny senior hurling team. His brother, Harry Ryan, and his nephew, Lester Ryan, also won major championships with Kilkenny.

Playing Career

Playing for St. Kieran's College

Lester Ryan played hurling for St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny. He was only 15 years old when he won a Leinster Colleges Championship in 1975. He was a substitute in that game. Later, he won an All-Ireland Colleges Championship medal. He came on as a substitute in the final match.

Playing for Clara Club

Lester Ryan started playing for his local club, Clara, when he was still young. In 1977, Clara won the Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship. Lester was a substitute for that winning team.

In 1979, he won an Under-21 championship medal. In 1982, he played in his first adult county final. Clara won the Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship against Carrickshock. Lester played in midfield during that game.

After four years, Clara reached the Kilkenny Senior Championship final in 1986. They played against Ballyhale Shamrocks. Lester scored four points from frees. Clara won the game, and Lester earned a winners' medal. He played in another senior final in 1990, but Clara lost that match.

Playing for Kilkenny County

Minor and Under-21 Teams

Lester Ryan first played for the Kilkenny county team as a minor (under-18) player in 1975. His brother Harry was also on the team. He won a Leinster Minor Hurling Championship as a substitute. Later that year, he won an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship medal.

In 1976, he won another Leinster Minor Championship. In 1977, he became the starting goalkeeper for the minor team. He won his third Leinster title and a second All-Ireland medal. This was his last game as a minor player.

In 1980, Lester was the captain of the Kilkenny Under-21 team. He won his only Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship title that year. He led the team to the All-Ireland final, but they lost a close game to Tipperary.

Senior Team

Lester Ryan joined the Kilkenny senior team in 1982-83. He was a substitute when Kilkenny won the National Hurling League title. He later earned a regular spot on the team.

In 1985-86, he won his second National League medal. Kilkenny beat Galway in the final. He then won his first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship medal in 1986. He played as a right corner-forward.

The next year, he moved to midfield. He won a second Leinster Championship medal in 1987. Kilkenny then played Galway in the All-Ireland final, but they lost.

Lester won a third National League medal in 1989-90. By 1991, he was no longer a regular starter. However, he came on as a substitute and won his third Leinster Championship medal. His last game for Kilkenny was the 1991 All-Ireland final, where Kilkenny lost to Tipperary.

Playing for Leinster Province

Lester Ryan also played for the Leinster team, which represents a group of counties. In 1988, he won his only Railway Cup medal. He played in midfield as Leinster beat Connacht in the final.

Coaching Career

Lester Ryan worked as a coaching officer for the Leinster Council. In 2008, he managed the Ireland national hurling team. He led them to a win against Scotland in the annual Shinty-Hurling International Series.

Death

Lester Ryan passed away on 6 June 2020. He was 61 years old. He died in a traffic accident in Gowran, County Kilkenny, when his bicycle was involved in a collision.

Honours

Player

St. Kieran's College

• All-Ireland Colleges Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1977
• Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1977

Clara

• Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1986
• Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 1982
• Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1977

Kilkenny

• Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (3): 1986, 1987, 1991
• National Hurling League (3): 1982-83, 1985-86, 1989-90
• Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1980
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1975, 1977
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (3): 1975, 1976, 1977

Leinster

• Railway Cup (1): 1988

Manager

Ireland

• Shinty-Hurling International Series (1): 2008