'It's our time' says Limerick semi-final hero Josh Ryan
Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan hailed their victory over Wicklow in today's Tailteann Cup semi-final as a massive step forward for the county, having overcome a huge personal battle to be part of it.
The Treaty came from seven points down to progress to the decider with Kildare next month and are now a win away from entering the All-Ireland Football Championship next year.
Man of the match Ryan saved a penalty and also kicked a couple of two-pointers.
Speaking after the match, he shared what it means to Limerick GAA and credited his team-mates' resilience and closeness for their success.
"It means a lot to to be fair," he told RTÉ Sport. "The football people of Limerick, we haven't given them too many days out. But thankfully, our time has kind of come now and it's about getting to a final and going that next step.
"I'm looking forward to a final. We've prepared but have got a lot more preparation to go as well. So we'll take that as it comes.
"I think this team has showed a lot of resilience the whole way through the year. We had two losses at the start of the league. And we just stayed resilient. We kept close as a group, there's serious camaraderie within us."
Limerick goalkeeper Josh Ryan in the man of the match after his penalty save and two-point kicks helped his side secure their place in the Tailteann Cup final. pic.twitter.com/P338YypoRe
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 22, 2025
In 2022 Ryan suffered a serious injury, breaking his tibia in three places, which forced him to take 17 months out of the game to recover.
The sacrifices and determination needed was certainly on his mind as the final whistle went.
"It looked fairly bleak inside the hospital in Limerick for 12 days lying on my back amd I didn't think I'd see the day again to be honest with you.
"Every day we're playing with Limerick, I look at the program and see my name. That's what it means, to see your name on an inter-county panel again is great."
Limerick boss Jimmy Lee expressed immense pride at his team's strength of character and the depth of talent on the squad.
"The resilience that the boys have shown, even when we were being beaten, [has been a key factor].
"They dug deep. Seeing the big names coming off, the strength and depth in the squad is, and I know I keep saying it, actually phenomenal.
"From one to 38 anyone could be on that 26 and there was a time we were fighting for the first 15.
"Now we're fighting for the first 26, it's a great complaint. I'm delighted to have it."
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