'Having each other's backs away from the pitch is special': Cian Lynch on the Limerick bond
GAME-FACE: Cian Lynch poses for a portrait during a Limerick hurling pre-All-Ireland final media conference. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
It’s not just hurling that Cian Lynch has mastered. The art of talking but saying little has long featured on his resumé. The Limerick captain is fully aware of how his words will be scrutinised and parsed.
His appearance tells more about the “incredibly free spirit” as his former teacher and current coach Liam Cronin has described him.
There’s the crucifix earring, a symbol of this faith. There’s the Whoop band, the fitness and health wearable, on his left wrist.
“I wouldn't let you look at that now, there's not much sleep happening,” he smiles.
Lynch invested in one last year when his and his partner Dayna’s twin boys CJ and Óige were born.
The device advises him to get to bed earlier “but I can't tell the kids to go to sleep,” he laughs. “I started wearing it last year just for that actually, to see what the craic is with sleep. There's no point, really!”
Dayna has been bringing the boys to the Limerick matches. They’re still too young to understand who their daddy is beyond being their daddy.
“They understand there's something going on the pitch. What it is, I don't know, but they're great aul’ craic and grateful for them.”
At some stage this or last week, Lynch will have to sit down, perhaps with performance coach Caroline Currid, to put together a winning speech in the event he has to give one. Like he did in 2023 in the absence of injured captain Declan Hannon.
It’s not something that the 30-year-old considers a useful tool to hone his focus. It’s just something that has to be done.
“Sure, you have to. That's all part of it, really. Both sides have to prepare for that outcome. Yeah, you have to approach that. It's just ticking a box and just focusing on ourselves as a group, which is the most important side of it.”
There’s part of Lynch that has remained in Dublin since 2022. Or his likeness, anyway.
On the side of the Halfway House pub in Walkinstown, owned by Limerick native Gerry O’Malley, and previously the workplace of the late 1973 All-Ireland winner Eamonn “Ned” Rea, is a blown-up image of Lynch on his knees scoring that audacious ’22 point against Cork.
Lynch, a teetotaller, was in the middle of the singsong celebrations in another pub, Nuala’s Village Inn in Ballyorgan, following last month’s Munster final win.
Those moments away from the field are cherished.
“Each and every one of the 37 lads are brilliant hurlers and a great team, but as individuals, they're all great people. I think that's massive too. The bond we have together as a group down through the years, there’s obviously new guys that have come into the group over the last few years as well and drove that on.
“It's just being together for each other. Sport is huge. Games are huge. But just having each other's backs away from the pitch as well is special.
“You just know yourselves as individuals, if something doesn't go well, you try to row in behind each other. Tighten in as a group and try to drive things on. It's enjoying the moments together.”
Lynch says he has never been one for analysing the opposition too much.
“I don't, to be honest. I just never really have. You're going to the gym, going to training, and outside of that then, you've work and other commitments, so it's busy.”
That’s not to say he won’t be doing his due diligence on Galway.
“Every team do present challenges and obviously Galway are a great side. We have massive respect for them, the group they have, the team they have and even down through the years to see what they're capable of.”
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