Cian Lynch

Cian Lynch

Personal information
Irish name	Cian Ó Loingsigh
Sport	Hurling
Position	Left corner-forward
Born	(1996-01-03) 3 January 1996 Limerick, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Occupation	Student
Club(s)
Years	Club
2013-present	Patrickswell
Club titles
Limerick titles	0
Colleges(s)
Years	College
2014-present	Mary Immaculate College
Inter-county(ies)*
Years	County	Apps (scores)
2015-	Limerick	4 (0-3)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles	0
All-Irelands	0
NHL	0
All Stars	0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 15:03, 13 September 2015.

Cian Lynch (born 3 January 1996) is an Irish hurler who plays as a left corner-forward for the Limerick senior team.

Born in Limerick, Lynch first excelled at hurling during his schooling at Ardscoil Rís. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Limerick minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut during the 2015 league. Lynch has since become a regular member of the starting fifteen.

At club level Lynch plays with Patrickswell.

His granduncle, Éamonn Carey, and his uncles, Ciaran Carey and Pa Carey, all played with Limerick.

Playing career

College

During his schooling at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick, Lynch had just turned fifteen-years-old when he established himself as a key member of the senior hurling team. In 2011 he won his first Harty Cup medal when he was introduced as a substitute in the 3-19 to 0-3 provincial decider trouncing of Charleville CBS. On 2 April 2011 Ardscoil Rís faced St. Kieran's College in the All-Ireland final. Lynch started the game on the bench but was introduced as a late substitute as Ardscoil Rís looked to be heading for victory. A Thomas O'Hanrahan goal deep into stoppage time secured a 2-10 to 1-11 victory for St. Kieran's.

Three years later Lynch was an established member of the starting fifteen and captain the team from centre-forward. He won a second Harty Cup medal that year following a 2-13 to 0-4 trouncing of Limerick rivals Scoil na Trionóide, Doon.

Minor and under-21

Lynch was just sixteen-years-old when he first played for Limerick as a member of the minor team on 2 May 2012. He scored 0-1 on his debut in a 0-16 to 1-12 Munster quarter-final defeat of Cork.

In 2013 Lynch was at wing-forward as Limerick faced Waterford in the provincial decider. As Waterford looked to be heading for victory, a last-minute goal from substitute Tom Morrissey ensured a 2-19 apiece draw. The replay was also a close affair, however, Lynch's first-half stoppage time goal proved decisive as Limerick ended a 29-year wait for the title with a 1-20 to 4-8 victory. It was Lynch's first Munster medal.

Lynch was appointed captain of the Limerick team in 2014, as Waterford faced them in the Munster final for a second year in succession. Limerick looked all set to retain their title when leading their opponents by three points in added time, however, Waterford substitute Shane Ryan struck for a dramatic late goal to send the game to a replay. The replay was also a close affair, however, Limerick pulled away in the end to secure a 0-24 to 0-18 victory and a second Munster medal for Lynch. On 7 September 2014 Limerick faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider. A 2-5 haul from Kilkenny corner-forward John Walsh ensured a 2-17 to 0-19 defeat for Lynch's side.

In his final year on the minor team, Lynch was included on the Limerick under-21 team. He made his debut in that grade on 4 June 2014 in a 2-20 to 1-14 Munster quarter-final defeat by Clare.

In 2015 Lynch won a Munster medal in the under-21 grade following a thrilling 0-22 to 0-19 defeat of four-in-a-row hopefuls Clare. On 12 September 2015 Limerick faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider. Limerick eased past Wexford with 16 points to spare in a massively one-sided game. The 0-26 to 1-7 victory gave Lynch a coveted All-Ireland medal.

Senior

Lynch made his competitive debut for Limerick on 17 January 2015 in a 2-15 to 1-15 defeat of Waterford in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup. He later collected his first silverware at senior level when Limerick defeated Cork by 3-20 to 1-16 in the final of the Waterford Crystal Cup. During the subsequent league campaign Lynch was a regular on the Limerick starting fifteen. He made his championship debut on 24 May 2015 in a 1-19 to 2-15 Munster quarter-final defeat of Clare and was later named man of the match after scoring 0-3 from play. He was later named as the GAA/GPA Player of the Month.

Personal life

Born in Patrickswell, County Limerick in 1996, Lynch's father, Seán, is a native of Loughmore, County Tipperary, while his mother, Valerie Carey, is a member of the famous Carey hurling dynasty from Patrickswell. His granduncle, Éamonn Carey, won an All-Ireland medal in the minor grade in 1958 before later lining for the senior team. Lynch's uncles, Pa and Ciaran Carey, were mainstays of the Limerick team throughout the nineties.

Lynch was educated at Patrickswell N.S. before later completing his Leaving Certificate at Ardscoil Rís. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts at Mary Immaculate College.

Career statistics

As of 13 September 2015

Team	Year	National League			Championship		Total
		Division	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score
Limerick	2015	Division 1B	6	0-7	4	0-3	10	0-10
Total			6	0-7	4	0-3	10	0-10

Honours

Player

Ardscoil Rís

• Dr. Harty Cup (2): 2011, 2014 (c)

Limerick

• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2015
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2015
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 2013, 2014 (c)
• Waterford Crystal Cup (1): 2015

Individual

Awards

• GAA/GPA Player of the Month (1): May 2015

External Links

Sporting positions
Preceded by Richard English	Limerick Minor Hurling Captain 2014	Succeeded by Eoghan McNamara