Ryan Ritchie

Where are you from?

I’m from Killinarden in Tallaght.

Position:

Centre midfielder/attacking midfielder.

Have you always played in that position?

Yes, I have always played there.

How long have you been playing for Rovers:

I have been here since Under 12s; I joined in 2017.

What’s your earliest memory of playing for the club?

Going over to France to play in a tournament would be my earliest memory.

Who on your team now or on the Under 19s were with you on your first team?

Tristan Donnelly, Cian Dillon, Naj Razi, Cory O’Sullivan and John O’Sullivan.

Have you played some games for the Under 19s?

I played a few games with them this season; my first was in a friendly against Pat’s when Tony (Cousins) brought me up and said he wanted me to show him what I could do. I played for about 30 minutes in that game and I have come off the bench for them in other games this season.

Who has been your managers/coaches?

Tony O’Dowd, Noely O’Brien, Paul Fox, Mags in the first year, then Aidan Price and Steven Gray at Under 13s; 15s was Jay Shields, Nicky Cosgrave and Desy Balmer and then Tony Cousins and Chris McDonnell with the U17s.

Who is on your management team currently?

It’s Jay, Nicky, Noely and Desy.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

I would say I am a creative player; I’m a good dribbler, I have good vision and I like scoring goals.

Who is your favourite player?

At the moment De Bruyne but because I’m a United fan I am going to say Fernández.

Have you got a favourite player at Rovers?

Yes, Jack Byrne, that’s who I see I play like.

You were on the TY course two years ago; where are you now education-wise?

I’m in the Sixth Year Programme with Ashfield College and I will be doing my Leaving Cert next summer.

Was there any one thing you took away from your first year on the TY course that you apply to yourself now?

The Leadership skills. Jay has made me captain over the past few weeks and I feel I have taken the leadership very well because we did that a lot in TY. I feel that has helped me a lot as team captain.

Who is your best mate on the team?

Cian Dillon and Jack Ellis.

Do you play or have an interest in any other sport?

I like playing table tennis and darts as well.

How do you like to chill out?

I like listening to music and going swimming as well.

Tell us about your late dad - when did he pass away?

He passed away four years ago in 2019.

Do you often think of him before you go out to play a match?

Yes, he used to come to every game and talk to me before every game and get me going. I miss him. Every time I go out and play I think of him because I want to do him proud.

Last question Ryan - what App do you use most on your phone?

Snapchat or Instagram.