Shane Ryan striking right balance in search of Kerry glory

Kerry's Shane Ryan is a big believer in getting the balance right in life.

On the inter-county stage he's the Kingdom's last line of defence - a progressive, talented goalkeeper who is part of the new wave of players that continues to evolve the position.

Once he pulls on a Rathmore jersey for club duty, Ryan becomes a swashbuckling, high-scoring forward. The two roles complement each other, he says, the current trends in modern football allowing him to rove out of his goal to open teams up and even plunder scores.

Speaking at the launch of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé tournament, Ryan reflected on the increasingly fluid tactical setups that are freeing him up to have a greater all-round impact.

"It was more the way teams were setting up against us rather than me trying to impose myself on an outfield role," he said.

"The Derry game [in last year's All-Ireland SFC semi-final] is probably the most notable one. Derry at times had 15 behind the ball. They were pinned back in their own half, so if we came under pressure with possession I was kind of a safety outlet at the back.

"The way the game has gone it's very much backs and forwards in both sides of the field in some games. It lends itself to me being kind of a safety net if we do come under pressure.

"The role of a goalkeeper, particularly at inter-county level, can be kind of a pressure cooker. Any mistake you make is magnified. You're constantly under scrutiny from opposition. Playing outfield gives you a sense of freedom. I really enjoy doing both to be honest."

Ryan scored a point from play in that Derry match, albeit it came following a strong collision with Shane McGuigan that had Oak Leaf supporters howling for a foul.

He has witnessed a change of attitude when it