Schumi
10/01/2003, 2:20 PM
And well deserved too.
From FAI (http://www.fai.ie) website.
UCD goalkeeper Barry Ryan has been selected as the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland player of the month for December.
Ryan was chosen after a terrific month, during which he did not concede a single goal as he helped UCD to victories against Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Longford Town to ease the Students' relegation worries. Perhaps it was no coincidence that when UCD lost 2-0 to Shelbourne, Ryan was absent through suspension.
Ennis-born Ryan made his first-team debut in the 1996/97 season but that was his only league appearance that season and he had just one run out the following season as well. But his big chance came when Shay Kelly joined Cardiff City in the summer of 1998, which allowed him to establish himself as first choice.
Ryan's development as a talented keeper - he was called into the Irish under-21 squad at one stage - offset the loss of Kelly. And while his form was erratic at times in the past, he has now added consistency to his game to become arguably the best keeper in the eircom League this season. Certainly, he has more clean sheets than anyone else - ten in 23 games.
Ryan, 24, has now made a total of 156 eircom League appearances.
From FAI (http://www.fai.ie) website.
UCD goalkeeper Barry Ryan has been selected as the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland player of the month for December.
Ryan was chosen after a terrific month, during which he did not concede a single goal as he helped UCD to victories against Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Longford Town to ease the Students' relegation worries. Perhaps it was no coincidence that when UCD lost 2-0 to Shelbourne, Ryan was absent through suspension.
Ennis-born Ryan made his first-team debut in the 1996/97 season but that was his only league appearance that season and he had just one run out the following season as well. But his big chance came when Shay Kelly joined Cardiff City in the summer of 1998, which allowed him to establish himself as first choice.
Ryan's development as a talented keeper - he was called into the Irish under-21 squad at one stage - offset the loss of Kelly. And while his form was erratic at times in the past, he has now added consistency to his game to become arguably the best keeper in the eircom League this season. Certainly, he has more clean sheets than anyone else - ten in 23 games.
Ryan, 24, has now made a total of 156 eircom League appearances.