Shane Ryan has admitted he faces a massive challenge getting back up to speed as an inter-county hurler – but it is a challenge he will meet head-on.
“Once the games start, the more games I get the better,” the now-retired Dublin footballer revealed. “I don’t want people to think I’m swanning in and taking someone’s place who’s been working hard at this game for the last number of years. With all due respect to everyone else that’s there, I want to earn my spot – if I get it.
“Hopefully I get a bit of game-time, but behind the scenes there’s going to be an awful lot of hard work to do as well,” he added.
“The challenge at this stage is to even try and get up to speed with every other player, and that’s still a bit away, I think.”
Dublin play Carlow or NUIG in the Walsh Cup on January 31 but before then Ryan is expected to line out in the St Declans College Golden Jubilee Dublin GAA night in Russell Park (St Brigids GAA club) on Thursday, January 21. The hurling contest between Dublin and ex-students of St Declans (plus a few guests) takes place at 7pm followed by the clash of Dublin and a team comprised of ex-students of the school (8.30pm).
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