The Hop Ball - Episode 5: Shane Ryan

Shane Ryan, a dual jewel, is this week's guest for Episode 5 of 'The Hop Ball', the new Dubs TV series, sponsored by AIG.

Watch it here: 

Hosted by 2011 All-Ireland SFC winner, Eamon Fennell, the Nh Mearnóg takes a trip down memory lane with his former Dublin senior football team-mate (Wednesday, 7pm, on Dublin GAA social media channels).

The a 56-minute interview provides a 'whistle-stop tour' of Shane's time in blue with both the Dublin senior hurlers and footballers and discusses the difficulty of serving two 'masters' at intercounty level during his era.

Shane provides some excellent insights into both being a Dublin footballer under Tommy Carr (including the Trips to Tipp in 2001), Tommy Lyons and Paul 'Pillar' Caffrey as well as his time with the senior hurlers and getting the call from Anthony Daly to ask him back into the hurling fold.

Shane answers all questions in a candid and humorous fashion, his self-deprecating style adding to the enjoyment of this latest episode in the series.

Initially more noted as a very talented young hurling Shane played for the Dublin minors in the 1996 Leinster MHC final and again two years later at the under-21 grade under the management of Paudie O'Neill. In 1998 he was also on the county U21 team that were defeated by Laois in the provincial decider.

Shane won six Leinster SFC medals - 2002, 2005-2009, as well as an All Star in 2008 and showed great versatility when playing in a number of positions.

His All Star came at midfield - Dublin's sole representative - alongside Tyrone's Enda McGinley. He also represented Leinster in the interprovincial series as well as Ireland in International Rules.

In the interview Shane recalls the training at the time and how the accuracy of Stephen Cluxton's kickouts and his partnership in the engine room alongside Ciarán Whelan became one of the main dynamoes of Dublin's provincial success in the noughties.

Having been in the Dublin senior hurling and football panels (played in NFL1 final defeat to Cork in 1999) in his last year as an U21 Shane showcased his talents as a dual player for a number of seasons before electing to opt for football only.

Shane made his last appearance for the senior footballers when coming on as a sub in the 2009 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final - a heavy defeat to Kerry, in Pat Gilroy's first year as manager.

However, in 2009 he rejoined the hurlers after being asked back by Anthony Daly and went on to win a NHL Division 1 title in 2011 - Dublin's first Division 1 title in 72 years.

Unfortunately the follow year he was forced to retire owing to an ongoing back problem.

Shane's family have an incredible Gaelic games pedigree - his father Jack won and NHL1 medal with Tipperary in 1968 and three years later was a member of their All-Ireland SHC winning panel (Tipp beat Kilkenny 5-17 to 5-14 in an 80-minute game). His mother, Orla, has three All-Irelands senior camogie medals with Dublin - 1964, 1965, 1966 and was on the team beaten by Antrim in the 1967 final replay.

Shane's maternal grandfather was Seán O Siochain, the GAA's first Director General, holding the office for 15 years, beginning in 1964, while his grandfather on his father's side was Séamus O Riain, the GAA President from 1967 to 1970.