Cian Lynch happy to be “able to make some sort of impact” after return from injury

Brand Ambassador at Brian Geary Toyota Limerick, Cian Lynch will be hoping to feature from the start in the All-Ireland final after return from injury.

Ten minutes into the clash with Waterford in the second round of the championship and the optics didn’t look good for John Kiely’s Limerick.

The Deise were talked up as the pretenders to Limerick’s crown after a stellar league campaign under Liam Cahill.

A bright start in the TUS Gaelic Grounds backed that up and with their backs seemingly against the wall, Limerick were then hit with a killer blow as Hurler of the Year Cian Lynch was forced from the field with injury.

In the aftermath of the game, which Limerick won in a sign of things to come, it was confirmed that Lynch would miss the remainder of the Munster championship.

And so he did as Limerick retained their title for the fourth successive year.

In the build up to the All-Ireland semi-final, where Limerick’s provincial win, allowed for extra-time for Lynch and co to recover, Kiely confirmed the Patrickswell man was in contention.

He was named amongst the substitutes for only the second time in his championship career but when Galway were pushing, Lynch was summoned to action as he played his part in helping Limerick back to a third All-Ireland final on the trot.

Reflecting on his recovery and watching on as a spectator, Lynch spoke of the difference in approaches.

“When you’re so tight with the lads and the backroom team and the medical team, it was just such a flow even the last ten weeks flew for myself personally with the rehab and aiming to get back.”

“Coming into a game, especially being brought on you want to try and get up to the pace of it as soon as you can, you’re coming into the melting pot really and thank god we managed to pull it out in the last five-ten minutes.

“When you’re not on the panel, when you’re watching on in your normal clothes, it’s a different perspective and to be back in the dressing room getting togged out is massive and just being there to be able to have some sort of impact if you can.”

Lynch was introduced into the melting pot with Limerick needing a spark as Galway dominated the second period.

After leading by four at the break, Limerick saw their lead whittled down immediately after the restart.

But the sight of Lynch and Peter Casey warming up gave the crowd a huge lift while substitute David Reidy made the telling difference on his introduction as captain Declan Hannon praised the work of the injured pair in getting back onto the pitch.

“The roar the boys got when they came on it was amazing, it shows the support and appreciation the supporters have for the lads and the efforts that they go through to get back on the pitch. They worked really hard to put themselves into a position to be involved in the latter stages of the championship. They would give you a big boost.”

Declan Hannon

And Lynch is back just in time as the black and amber of Kilkenny await in the All-Ireland final. These teams last met in the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final where the Cats ended Limerick’s hopes of retaining the Liam MacCarthy.

Since then, Limerick have gone undefeated in the championship, winning a trio of Munster titles as well as back-to-back All-Ireland titles in the meantime.

But the 2019 encounter will count for little on Sunday with Lynch taking every game on its own merits.

“For ourselves, you’re trying to focus on what you’re doing, what you’re doing as a group and you’re going to be facing every team to get to where you want to be at the end of every year and that’s an All-Ireland final.”

“Every year is different and every game can take a life of it’s own and every time is out to try and do their best and try and push themselves on to get to where they want to be and for ourselves, you don’t want to be focusing too much on other teams pushing, you’re just trying to push yourself and push your group.”

Whether he starts or not is a decision for the management but having the reigning Hurler of the Year in any capacity is a huge boost for Kiely and co after April’s injury.

Best of Luck to our Brand Ambassador Cian Lynch & the Limerick Team from all at Brian Geary Toyota.