Cian Lynch on red card: It was silly, not a good representation of Limerick

Lynch’s days are busier at home now with his partner Dayna and twin sons CJ and Ógie, who turn two this month. “You always put pressure on yourself and you're trying to stretch yourself then as well."

Cian Lynch said James Owens's decision to send him off against Cork in the Munster SHC was the "right decision". Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Limerick captain Cian Lynch has acknowledged his sending off against Cork last month was “not a good representation of the team”.

The Patrickswell man was dismissed in the 50th minute by referee James Owens for jabbing Tim O’Mahony with his hurley. Limerick trailed by a point at the time and ended up losing by two.

The two-time hurler of the year served a one-match ban in the subsequent game against Clare. He came off the bench in Limerick’s win over Waterford, began last Sunday week’s victory against Tipperary and is expected to start this weekend.

Owens will officiate once more in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and, naturally, Lynch has regrets about his act. “It was silly. It was not good representation of the team, and I suppose the time of the game it was and so on.

“But the championship was so quick, the turnaround, you had to get your head down and go again and try and push the lads in training.

“Obviously, I wouldn't have been involved in the following game against Clare but on my own I was trying to push the lads in training, trying to get back into the team. When someone else is up taking your place, you're supporting them and driving them on. It's a learning.” 

Lynch didn’t address his dismissal with his team-mates. “The group knows it was silly on my behalf and there was no cribbing on my side either. Even from James Owens, he had a decision to make and it was the right decision, so I just moved on from it.” 

Now 30, Lynch was able to reconcile with the setback easier. “Of course, the older you get, I suppose it's probably with a bit of experience as well. You can't dwell on things too much.

“There's disappointment on a personal level, disappointment for how it impacts a group and in your own head you could be internalising as well. You have to regroup, dust yourself off and go again.” 

Cian Lynch embraces Declan Hannon after Limerick's victory over Clare in the 2024 Munster SHC final. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

On Sunday, Lynch hopes to emulate Declan Hannon in lifting the Mick Mackey Cup. His old team-mate may have retired but is still on hand for advice.

“We soldiered with Declan for many years, he's a great fella, a great leader for this group, and what he's done for hurling and Limerick as well is huge, but all of us would still be in contact with Declan.

“Obviously, we're still playing, but he'd always be reaching out, we'd always catch up for an old coffee, and he's a friend to all of us as well, but he's supporting us there now, he's in the stands, roaring us on.” 

Lynch’s days are busier at home now with his partner Dayna and twin sons CJ and Ógie, who turn two this month. They provide perspective but fatherhood doesn’t mean he is any less driven.

“You always put pressure on yourself and you're trying to stretch yourself then as well. The days you're not training or not playing matches, (I) obviously give Dayna a hand at home and to take the boys out and do things. I'm blessed and privileged to have the two boys and to be still able to play the sport that I love.”

Lynch has already had a stellar career. There will be a time to ponder on his achievements but it’s not now. “I think this is my 12th year. It's just a dream come true.

“There's times there when you're in your quiet times, your mind does reflect, but you always want to stay in the present moment and enjoy it as much as you can as well.”