Limerick lynchpin Cian Lynch feared that his career was over after he picked up a hamstring injury two years ago. The Patrickswell clubman got injured in the 2022 Munster SHC tie against Waterford, but has since returned to the side.
It took a full 10 weeks before he made his comeback, coming on as a substitute in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway in 2022. In the time between that match and the All-Ireland final showdown against Kilkenny, Lynch then got injured again, but this time it was an ankle injury. Lynch may have thought his injury troubles were over, but during the 2023 campaign, Lynch's hamstring went again.
When asked if he agreed with teammate Tom Condon's assessment that his hamstring issues were something that could have derailed his career, Lynch agreed.
"I think it was, yeah," he said this week. "I think it was something like Grade 3, Grade 3C or something. Yeah, initially, it was. But sure, if you take what you're told initially on everything, you'll be left with nothing."
Lynch is now happy that he is able to get his career back on track.
"I suppose faith is a huge thing, as is having a bit of hope. Thank God I was able to get back going again."
Cian Lynch wins hurler of the month for July. (Image: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Now 28, Lynch has five All-Irelands to his name. He now has the chance to win a sixth for himself and a fifth in a row for his native Limerick this year.It''s been almost 10 years since he made his debut. Lynch is now focused on enjoying the moment, as he knows that it can all go by in the blink of an eye.
“It actually goes in the blink of an eye. Even when you say 10 years, Jaysus, where do those 10 years go?" he added.
“But you've got some great memories, and even when you’re looking back and reflecting on them, from 2015 all the way through, some great days.
“There are other days where you probably look back and say they were dark days and how you came through them, but to me, it’s just appreciating those 10 years that I’ve had and just trying to enjoy every moment of it.”
“If you buy into that whole talk about a certain amount of years or age profiles, you would end up frying your own brain, so, for me, as long as I can stay fit and healthy and enjoy playing a sport I grew up loving playing, then I’ll play for as long as I can.”
Limerick on Saturday play against Kilkenny in a league semi-final. The match takes place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork with a 4.30 throw-in on Saturday.
