Cian Lynch is taken aback when the landmark that he is closing in on is put to him.
“Is it 10 years? Jaysus.”
It is. When Limerick renew their rivalry with Clare at the end of the Munster round robin series on May 25 it will be 10 years, almost to the very day, that he made his Championship debut against them in a provincial quarter-final in Thurles on May 24, 2015.
Lynch has never been one to get too bogged down by milestones and anniversaries, always looking forward, but this one stops him in his tracks somewhat when it’s put to him. It certainly doesn’t feel like a decade of service.
“No, it doesn’t, no. I still think I’m only 18, 19. Jesus, that’s 10 years? Yeah, it’s mad but it just shows you that in life time just goes so fast.
“When you’re in the middle of something you don’t actually realise it, it’s just flying by so, I suppose, for us it’s just trying to enjoy every moment and embrace every moment, make the most of it and to reflect on 10 years, we’ve had some brilliant days but obviously we’ve had those days where things weren’t so good.”
To be fair, while Lynch has achieved so much, winning five All-Irelands and two Hurler of the Year awards, you couldn’t say that there was no indication of what was to come on his debut. Straight out of minor, he was pitched in at corner-forward and scored 0-3, winning the man of the match award in a one-point win, with a platted string of hair hanging from the top of his neck.
“Yeah, the rat’s tail! Will we bring that back, will we?!” he laughs.
“Yeah, sure it was unreal. It was TJ Ryan that gave me the call-up after minor. Obviously I was honoured and delighted. I think I was only about 76kg. I’d say I was about eight percent body fat. There was nothing on me only skin and bone, like.”
And what does he tip the scales at now?
“Jaysus I’m a lot more than that. I’d say I’m up around 90, I suppose. But it’s just gas looking back on it. Even talking here now, you get the memories of that day. Obviously going in, even how the game has changed since then. It’s amazing. But obviously massive gratitude to TJ Ryan and his backroom team for giving me the opportunity.”
After failing to convert two Munster minor titles into All-Ireland success, he pinpoints going all the way with the under-21 team in that same year as what propelled Limerick to such unprecedented success at senior level.
“So you start getting this bit of hope and, you know yourself if you push, you push things and see the lads around you are pushing you and pushing each other and I suppose getting over that 2015 All-Ireland probably pushed us on and spiralled us on to knowing that we have the capabilities, we have the togetherness to do it and we’re blessed we were able to.”
Lynch and his girlfriend, Dayna, welcomed twin boys, CJ and Óige, last summer, which he says has given his life a “totally different perspective”.
“As a young fella, hurling is all that mattered and I suppose a lot of us are guilty of that. You put all your eggs in one basket and having kids and having a family I suppose you see the importance of family time.
“The importance of giving time to the kids and Dayna, my partner, as well and I suppose it makes you enjoy your sport a bit more, that you realise this doesn’t last forever. Embrace every bit of it and cherish every moment you have on the field and training. Cherish every moment you have with your family and obviously your friends outside of it as well.”
In January, it emerged that Lynch would succeed Declan Hannon, the most successful captain in hurling history, as Limerick skipper. The handover was as smooth as it could possibly be. Albeit Hannon is some three years older than Lynch, there is a tight bond there, all the more so for the fact that they work together at recruitment company, Unijobs.
“He does be staring over at me, checking what I’m eating, like!
“No, sure I’d be very close to Declan anyway and we’re all very close and Declan’s so laid back and chilled out. I suppose he’s so chilling and calm that he just reassures you. He’s still someone that I can relay things onto, whether it’s got to do with the team or the sport or whatever it is.”
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