COPYCAT

Ryan taking inspiration from Mo than just hurling heroes

- BY PAT NOLAN

KILKENNY'S Billy Ryan couldn't be accused of having a closed mind when seeking out sources of inspiration.

Of course, in true GAA fashion, his heroes are local first and foremost, chief among them Eddie Brennan, given that he plays in a similar position.

"Yeah, huge," he says. "I've been very, very lucky that I was immersed into a club in Graigue-Ballycallan steeped in history.

"So many really talented hurlers have gone through the club in years gone by.

"You look at John Hoyne, Eddie Brennan, James Ryall, we've been really, really lucky to have those lads.

"Being a forward, I suppose Eddie was the one I looked at and how I could model myself off his game.

"He was incredible. His hunger for goals and the way he was so fast, I tried to model myself off that.

"You had James Ryall there as well, I played with him for years with the club. He was absolutely immense for us as a club.

"What a clubman and the respect I have for those lads is huge.

"Even today, you're still looking at matches and you're trying to replicate what lads are doing and you're trying to get better every day.

"Eddie, James and John Hoyne were definitely huge for me in that sense."

But then he looks well beyond the parish to add extra layers.