“We will have to wait and see” | No timeframe on Lynch return after Hurler of the Year limps off against the Deise

Lynch seems to be in a race against time to feature in the Munster championship again this year.

Faced with the team hotly tipped as the pretenders to their All-Ireland crown, Limerick felt the full force of the Deise early on in their Munster hurling championship clash on Saturday evening.

Liam Cahill’s side raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead in the TUS Gaelic Grounds but on nine minutes, Limerick’s task became all the more difficult as Cian Lynch hobbled off.

The Patrickswell man is widely regarded as the best player in the country and the conductor to John Kiely’s all conquering side.

Collecting a pass on the 45′, Lynch immediately pulled up and was forced to limp off the field with a dreaded hamstring injury the appeared diagnosis.

Discussing the moment in the wake of the game, that Limerick managed to win even without their talisman, John Kiely had no timeframe for his return.

“It was huge challenge we had quite a few conundrums that we had to figure out along the way you know, even the injuries like Cian getting injured you have to reset and go again.

“It’s a hamstring most likely so we will have to wait and see.”

Hamstring injuries vary in grades and recovery time. A grade three tear could take months to recover and would put Lynch against the clock immediately with the season to conclude on July 17, were Limerick to reach a fourth All-Ireland final in five years.

The Patrickswell man has been a key cog in the Limerick side since his debut as a 19-year old in 2015, winning a pair of Hurler of the Year awards, to go with three All-Ireland and Munster championships.

Lynch is unlikely to feature in Munster again this year with Limerick to face Tipperary on 8 May before travelling to Ennis a week later.

When forced off on Saturday, Cathal O’Neill was introduced in Lynch’s place and played his part with 0-3 from play as he looks poised for a first start for his county in the senior championship.