GAELIC GAMES:Declan Ryan is adamant his role with Tipperary is just that of another cog in the machine, writes IAN O'RIORDAN

AS A Tipperary hurler, Declan Ryan is best remembered for the modest way he went about winning three All-Ireland senior titles in three different decades – 1989, 1991, and 2001 – and for being a man of few words.

No one expected that to change when he took over the mantle of Tipperary manager (least of all Ryan himself) although that doesn’t mean he’s not capable of some candid observations. There’s an obvious contrast, he says, between preparing for an All-Ireland final as a player and as a manager – but there’s no comparison between the game he played and the game expected in Croke Park on Sunday.

“The level these guys are at now is incredible, phenomenal really,” he says. “The fitness levels and the skills levels are so far ahead of where the game was even 10 years ago that it’s frightening. There is no comparison, really. You just couldn’t compare the levels from 10 years or so back.

“The basic skills are far superior. Everyone’s touch is so good now, the ball-handling skills, the pace they’re travelling at, and the speed of the game, all those things are far superior to where they were 10 years ago.

“Because teams are looking for an edge all the time. These guys are doing a phenomenal amount in pre-season, and physically they’re in super condition. That wasn’t as intense back 15, 20 years ago. Preparation levels are going up and up, every year.”

None of this is suggesting Ryan wouldn’t have been as successful in the modern game: there’s certainly nothing old-fashioned about his approach to management, and while he did serve his apprentice as Tipperary minor manager, winning the 2007 All-Ireland, he’s so far proved the perfect successor to Liam Sheedy, despite entering at the deep end.

Indeed when he was asked to take over, last October, Ryan didn’t have to think twice about it: “Well, you never know if you’ll be asked to take on the job again, do you? But from the management point of view, we knew the quality of the young men that were coming through in Tipp, having been involved at minor level (along with Tommy Dunne and Michael Gleeson).

“We love the game, love being involved at whatever level. Managing a group of successful men, like we have in Tipp, well, I wouldn’t say it is easy, now. But we held on to a lot of the backroom team from last year, which made it that bit easier, and having played with some of the older guys and managed a lot of the younger guys at minor level with Tipp, all those things made the transition that bit more seamless.

“When you’re playing, of course you only have to get yourself ready. When you’re a manager you worry about everyone in the squad, everyone in the backroom team. But you also see the effort these lads are putting in, and you just hope they turn up fit and healthy on the day.”

What has allowed Ryan sit so comfortably in the role is his appreciation of being manager in name, yet facilitator in practice; being able to delegate different tasks and responsibilities, and having the full confidence they’ll be carried out as well as possible.

“The bottom line is the manager is just a member of the backroom team. If everyone else is doing his job, then the manager’s job is less important really. We’re lucky in Tipp as well that we have quality men there available at the minute.”

Perhaps one of the hardest challenges he’s had along the way was how to handle the hype after seeing his team put 7-19 past Waterford in the Munster final, followed by the five-week break before facing Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.

“I actually thought that the long break after the Munster final was a positive thing. We had a chance to enjoy the Munster final for a day or two, then get the players mentally tuned in to the semi-final against Dublin. We went to Dublin expecting a tough game, and knew if we got in level at half-time or near enough we’d be going fairly well. We knew our guys would tough it out. The positives were that our lads did stick at it, and at the same time dampened a lot of the hype that was going around.

“A lot of teams in Tipp in the last 25 years wouldn’t have beaten Dublin, simple as that. They wouldn’t have stuck it out the way the guys stuck it out, and that was testament to the character that’s in the group and how well these guys have prepared that they can win the battles as well.”

Speaking of battles, Ryan is obviously approaching Sunday’s showdown with Kilkenny on its own merits – not as the one deciding who wins the best of three.

“All-Ireland finals are for winning,” he says.

“There’s no doubt these two teams have had a couple of great battles, but anything that has gone on in the past is irrelevant when the ball is thrown in. And regardless of whether it’s a classic or not, the bottom line is you’re looking for a result. The result is the number one priority.”

Just like it was in Ryan’s playing days, too.