Limerick All-Ireland hurling hero Cian Lynch aiming to create more 'special memories'
LIMERICK hurling star Cian Lynch hasn't had much time to look back on their most recent success but hailed the homecoming and lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup with Declan Hannon as 'special moments'.
Lynch was talking after being announced as the PWC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Month for July and spoke about his injury frustrations, as well as the joy in being able to play with his club for the first time in nearly two years.
"My main focus was on the game and winning it," said Lynch when asked about Limerick's final win over Kilkenny. "Last year it was the opposite effect.
"I was unable to tog out but to be able to pull him (Declan) up there with me and lift the cup was unreal. It’s all about those memories.
"When the final whistle went, my mind just moved towards thinking about the speech. I remember last year when we won and I wasn’t togged out, I was walking around the pitch and soaking it all up.
"Dec just grabbed me and pulled me up the steps. That moment was just brilliant. The man that he is, he just thinks about things like that. For me, it was just time to bring Dec up then.
"I thought it was special to bring him up the steps. I know how hard it is to not tog out on the day. To have him there beside me to lift the cup was so special."
As a result of being captain in Hannon's absence, Patrickswell was the venue for Limerick's second homecoming on the Monday after the All-Ireland win.
Lynch says it was another 'unreal' moment and an honour to be able to bring Liam MacCarthy through the village and being the first man from 'The Well' to captain Limerick to All-Ireland victory.
"Seeing everyone in Pery Square was unreal. It was special. They’re the moments that you remember. Then to come back to your own local village.
"We drove the bus through the village and seeing everyone heading towards the pitch. They are your local people that you have grown up with. Gone to the local shop with. To go back and see all the people that have worn the Patrickswell jersey was unreal."
Lynch managed to get back to full fitness in the four-week gap between Limerick's Munster Final win over Clare and their All-Ireland semi-final win over Galway.
It's been a frustrating year and a half for the two-time Hurler of the Year with hamstring and ankle issues seeing him sit out many of Limerick's games.
"Injuries are frustrating but it’s part of sport. Trying to accept that part of it when you are not used to it. Nobody wants to experience it but you saw with Limerick this year and the few lads that were dealt injury blows, you just empathise with them. I was so grateful to be able to play with Patrickswell again last week.
"I was always lucky when i was growing up and in my earlier years with Limerick. I was injury free. But last year with the hamstring and then the ankle. It was niggling away after that.
"Not being able to train with the lads and not being able to go out and play a match, it does take its toll. A lot of work then goes on behind the scenes.
"Trying to keep yourself right and your head right because sport is massive. It’s a huge outlet to your normal day. When you’re coming from work. It’s a good release. When you’re injured, you don’t have that. You do take being able to train and play for granted at times."