Furthermore , Ryan was named as captain of the Tipperary senior hurling team for the year .
At the start of 2009 Tipperary were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny 's assault on the four - in - a-row of All - Ireland championship titles .
Ryan was named as captain of the Tipperary senior hurling team for the year .
At the start of 2009 Tipperary were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny 's assault on the four - in - a-row of All - Ireland championship titles .