Who is Cian Lynch? Limerick hurling All-Star and soon-to-be father of twins

IN the heart of Limerick hurling, there exists players who hold the essence of the sport in their hands. Enter Cian Lynch, a home-grown name which lingers on the tip of each tongue when discussing "hurling legends".

Born and bred in the hurling hotbed of Patrickswell, Cian has had a keen interest in all things GAA since he was a youngster, and, at the age of just 15-years-old, he earned selection for Ardscoil Rís' hurling team in Limerick city.

From there, he went on to study at at Mary Immaculate College, where he was selected as a forward for the college's hurling team.

Cian joined Patrickswell at a young age, a club with whom his family has a long tradition. His six uncles, Ciarán, Paul, Pa, Seán and Nigel Carey, featured on the senior team during what is notably called the club's 'golden era' in the 1980s and 1990s. After a major underage career, the 'Midfield Magician' as he is now widely nicknamed, holds the role of captain and is a mainstay of his home club.

Cian was 17-years-old when he joined Patrickswell's senior team, and on a GAA feature, stated: "I was in fifth-year at school and was with the county minors. It was my second last year minor so I was only coming and going so I didn't play that much that year. I was kind of concentrating on the minor and my own age group."

His inter-county minor career began when he was just 16-years-old after being added to the panel shortly before the start of the 2012 Munster Minor Championship.

This paved the way to his debut with the Limerick senior team at 19, in advance of the 2015 Waterford Crystal Cup.

He has since won five All-Ireland Championship titles, five Munster Championship titles and three National Hurling League titles with the team.