Limerick's Cian Lynch is close to returning for the All-Ireland champions Limerick
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Limerick's Cian Lynch is close to returning for the All-Ireland champions Limerick

LIMERICK SUPERSTAR Cian Lynch is close to returning to action confirms Limerick selector Donal O'Grady. 

Lynch missed SHC final victory over Kilkenny last July because of ankle ligament injury he picked up in training. 

The two-time Hurler of the Year is now set to return in the early part of next year’s 2023 Allianz Hurling League.

Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League in Raheen yesterday, Limerick selector O'Grady said: “That would be great,”

“Obviously, he has nothing done since the Waterford game last year (on April 23) when he did that serious hamstring injury.

“He missed all his club championship. Fitness-wise, we’ll see how he is, but definitely as far as getting a heavy workload into him, he is getting there and nearly ready for that. He had a bit of soreness up to a couple of weeks ago.

“But he has come back doing a bit of training with us, doing a bit of running. Nothing too intensive. Or nothing match-based, or anything like that. The signs are positive that we will hopefully have him back early on in the season.

Defender Mike Casey is also set to return, but at a later stage in the league

“I wouldn’t rule him out of the National League, but I’d say that obviously we’ll have to mind him, how serious it is and a timescale on his comeback, we don’t know yet. There’s no timeline but we’re delighted because it didn’t look good," O'Grady added. 

“But he got good news in the sense that it wasn’t his cruciate again. There’s a bit of cartilage damage so he’s going to be out for the early part of the season anyway. He’s very driven, there’d be no fear of him that way, he just needs a bit of luck really.”

2023 National Hurling League Fixtures

Corcaigh v Luimneach, Saturday February 4 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork 19:30

Luimneach v An Clár, Sat February 11 TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick 19:00

Gaillimh v Luimneach, Sunday February 26 Pearse Stadium, Salthill 14:30

An Iarmhí v Luimneach, Sunday March 12 TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar 14:00

Luimneach v Loch Garman, Sunday March 19 TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick 13:45

League semi-finals, March 25/26

League Final, April 8/9