Cian Lynch

{{infobox Gaelic games player

|image =

|name = Cian Lynch

|irish = Cian Ó Loingsigh

|nickname = Cianoo

|occupation = Student

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|3|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Patrickswell, County Limerick, Ireland

|height = {{convert|1.8|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

|sport = Hurling

|code = Hurling

|county = Limerick

|province = Munster

|club = Patrickswell

|clyears = 2013-present

|clposition = midfield

|clapps(points) =

|clcounty = 2

|clprovince =

|clallireland =

|colleges = Mary Immaculate College
NUI Galway

|fitz = 2

|counties = Limerick

|icyears = 2015-present

|icposition = Centre-forward

|icapps(points) = 50 (1-58)

|icprovince = 6

|icallireland = 5

|nhl = 3

|allstars = 3

|clupdate =

|icupdate = 22:45, 08 June 2025

}}

Cian Lynch (born 3 January 1996) is an Irish hurler who plays as a centre forward for Limerick Championship club Patrickswell, where he has held the role of captain, and the Limerick senior team. Recognised for his skill level and team play, he is widely considered one of the best players in the current game and has often been described as a "midfield magician". He is also one of only two players to win the 'hurler of the year' award more than once, with the only other player to do so being Henry Shefflin with three wins.{{cite web|url= https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/520678/opinion-the-cian-lynch-audacious-skill-from-limerick-hurling-star-jerome-o-connell.html|title=Opinion: 'The Cian Lynch' - audacious skill from Limerick hurling star|date=27 February 2020|work=Limerick Leader|access-date=26 December 2020|first=Jerome|last=O'Connell}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/cian-lynch-still-playing-central-role-in-rise-of-limerick-hurling-1.4432167|title=Cian Lynch still playing central role in rise of Limerick hurling|date=10 December 2020|work=Irish Times|accessdate=26 December 2020|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0127/1111323-lynch-magic-can-drive-limerick-forward-niall-moran/|title=Lynch magic can drive Limerick forward - Niall Moran|date=27 January 2020|work=RTÉ Sport|accessdate=26 December 2020|first=|last=}}

Lynch began his inter-county career at minor level with Limerick in 2012, with whom he won back-to-back Munster Minor Championship titles in his last two years with the team. In 2014, he joined the Limerick under-21 team and was integral in the team's All-Ireland Under-21 Championship wins in 2015 and 2017. Lynch joined the Limerick senior team for the 2015 season. He has since won four All-Ireland Championship titles, three Munster Championship titles and two National Hurling League titles with the team. In 2020, he had a significant role in Limerick becoming the first team since Tipperary in 1961 to have a 100% winning record in all competitions in a single season.

Lynch made his senior club championship debut with Patrickswell as a 17-year-old in 2013 and has since established himself as one of the mainstays of the team. He was a member of the Patrickswell team that won County Championship titles in 2016 and 2019.

Lynch has been named on the GAA–GPA All-Star Team and the Sunday Game Team of the Year three times each and the Under-21 Team of the Year twice. He was also named GAA–GPA Player of the Month in his first championship season and was GAA–GPA All-Star Hurler of the Year in 2018 and 2021.

Early career

=Ardscoil Rís=

Lynch first came to prominence as a hurler with Ardscoil Rís in Limerick. Having played in every grade, he was just 15-years-old when he earned selection for the college's senior hurling team. On 27 February 2011, Lynch was introduced as a substitute when Ardscoil Rís won the Harty Cup title after a 3-19 to 0-03 defeat of C.B.S. Charleville in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/awesome-ardscoil-storm-to-harty-title-26709031.html|title=Awesome Ardscoil storm to Harty title|date=28 February 2011|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=4 August 2018|first=|last=}} He was also introduced as a substitute in the subsequent 2-10 to 1-11 defeat by St. Kieran's College in the All-Ireland final.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/ohanrahan-heaps-misery-on-ardscoil-26720241.html|title=O'Hanrahan heaps misery on Ardscoil|publisher=Irish Independent|date=4 April 2011|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} On 22 February 2014, Lynch was captain of the Ardscoil Rís that defeated Scoil na Trionóide from Doon by 2-13 to 0-04 in the final of the Harty Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/ardscoil-ris-a-class-apart-in-derby-duel-259848.html|title=Ardscoil Rís a class apart in derby duel|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=24 February 2014|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}

=Mary Immaculate College=

During his studies at Mary Immaculate College, Lynch was selected as a forward for the college's senior hurling team. On 27 February 2016, he won a Fitzgibbon Cup medal as Mary I won their first ever title after a 1-30 to 3-22 defeat of the University of Limerick.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/eamonn-cregan-hails-heroic-mary-i-384649.html|title=Eamonn Cregan hails heroic Mary I|date=29 February 2016|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}} Lynch was at full-forward when Mary I retained the title in 2017 following a 3-24 to 1-19 defeat of Carlow Institute of Technology.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/dj-carey-hails-inspirational-coach-jamie-wall-as-mary-i-retain-fitzgibbon-title-443894.html|title=DJ Carey hails inspirational coach Jamie Wall as Mary I retain Fitzgibbon title|date=27 February 2017|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=John|last=Fallon}}

Club career

Lynch joined Patrickswell at a young age, a club with whom his family had a long tradition. His six uncles, Ciarán, Paul, Pa, Seán and Nigel Carey, were senior team mainstays during a golden era for the club in the 1980s and 1990s.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/limericks-cian-lynch-upholding-proud-family-tradition-331784.html|title=Limerick's Cian Lynch upholding proud family tradition|date=20 May 2015|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=5 August 2018|first=John|last=Fogarty}}{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/324027/watch-limericks-cian-lynch-on-trying-to-replicate-exploits-of-his-uncle-ciaran-carey.html|title=WATCH: Limerick's Cian Lynch on trying to replicate exploits of his uncle Ciaran Carey|date=14 July 2018|publisher=Limerick Leader|access-date=5 August 2018|first=Colm|last=Kinsella}} After an unremarkable juvenile and underage career, Lynch was 17-years-old when he joined the club's senior team, stating: "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."{{cite web|url=https://www.gaa.ie/features/feature/club-cian-lynch-patrickswell-110243/|title=My Club: Cian Lynch - Patrickswell|date=20 August 2015|publisher=GAA website|accessdate=19 December 2020|first=|last=}}

An undefeated run through the 2015 County Championship campaign saw Patrickswell qualify for the final, with Lynch's side ultimately facing a one-point defeat by Na Piarsaigh.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/downes-restores-na-piarsaigh-as-limerick-leaders-31601388.html|title=Downes restores Na Piarsaigh as Limerick leaders|date=12 October 2015|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=19 December 2020|first=Donnchadh|last=Boyle}} For the second successive season, Patrickswell remained undefeated on their way to the 2016 County Championship final. Lynch scored three points from play and ended the game with his first winners' medal after a 1-26 to 1-07 win over Ballybrown.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/magnificent-patrickswell-still-pride-of-the-parish-427216.html|title=Magnificent Patrickswell still pride of the parish|date=14 October 2016|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=6 August 2018|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}}

After two unsuccessful seasons, Lynch was appointed team captain in advance of the 2019 County Championship. After a third undefeated run through the group stage in five years, Patrickswell qualified for the 2019 final. Lynch ended the game with a second winners' medal after scoring three points in the 1-17 to 0-15 defeat of Na Piarsaigh.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/cian-lynch-comes-to-the-fore-as-patrickswell-hold-off-na-piarsaigh-in-limerick-county-final-38567636.html|title=Cian Lynch comes to the fore as Patrickswell hold off Na Piarsaigh in Limerick county final|publisher=Irish Independent|date=6 October 2019|accessdate=6 October 2019|first=Colm|last=Keys}}

Inter-county career

=Minor and under-21=

Lynch was just 16-years-old when he was added to the Limerick minor panel shortly before the start of the 2012 Munster Minor Championship. On 2 May 2012, he made his first appearance for the team, scoring a point from left corner-forward in a 0-16 to 1-12 quarter-final defeat of Cork.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/treaty-super-sub-sinks-cork-192651.html|title=Treaty super sub sinks Cork|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=3 May 2012|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} Once again eligible for the minor grade in 2013, Lynch was retained on the team by manager Brian Ryan. On 23 July 2013, he lined out at wing-forward when Limerick won their first Munster Minor Championship title in 29 years after a 1-20 to 4-08 defeat of Waterford in a replay of the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2013/0724/ireland/limerick-end-29-year-wait-for-munster-title-in-style-237793.html|title=Limerick end 29-year wait for Munster title in style|date=24 July 2013|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Jackie|last=Cahill}} Lynch was appointed captain of the Limerick minor team in advance of the 2014 Munster Minor Championship. On 22 July 2014, he won a second successive Munster Minor Championship title after a six-point win over Waterford in a final replay.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/limerick-blitz-shakes-off-deise-276382.html|title=Limerick blitz shakes off Déise|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=23 July 2014|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} On 7 September 2014, Lynch captained Limerick to a 2-17 to 0-19 defeat by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/kilkenny-minors-savour-all-ireland-success-against-spirited-limerick-1.1920852|title=Kilkenny minors savour All-Ireland success against spirited Limerick|publisher=Irish Times|date=7 September 2014|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan}}

Lynch was in his final year with the minor team when he was drafted onto the Limerick under-21 team for the 2014 Munster Under-21 Championship. On 4 June 2014, he made his first appearance for the team in a 2-20 to 1-14 quarter-final defeat by Clare.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/clare-power-and-class-too-much-for-limerick-271062.html|title=Clare power and class too much for Limerick |publisher=Irish Examiner|date=5 June 2014|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} Lynch was again called up to the under-21 panel for the 2015 Munster Under-21 Championship, becoming the only senior panellist on the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-u21-hurling-team-2217744-Jul2015/|title=Lynch the sole senior panellist in Limerick U21 side for Munster semi-final|publisher=The 42|date=15 July 2015|accessdate=26 December 2020|first=|last=}} On 30 July 2015, he lined out at left corner-forward when Limerick defeated four-in-a-row hopefuls Clare by 0-22 to 0-19 to win the Munster Under-21 Championship title. On 12 September 2015, Lynch was switched to centre-forward when Limerick defeated Wexford by 0-26 to 1-07 to win the All-Ireland Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/limerick-ease-past-wexford-to-claim-u21-hurling-title-695616.html|title=Limerick ease past Wexford to claim U21 hurling title|date=12 September 2015|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}} He ended the season by being named in the centre-forward position on the Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/the-all-ireland-u21-hurling-team-of-the-year-nominees-are-in-2347611-Sep2015/|title=The names are in - here are the Bord Gáis Energy Team of the Year nominees|date=23 September 2015|publisher=The 42|accessdate=5 August 2018|first=Shane|last=Hannon}}

After a defeat by Tipperary in 2016, Lynch lined out in a fourth successive Munster Under-21 Championship campaign the following year. On 26 July 2017, he won a second Munster Under-21 Championship title in three years after a 0-16 to 1-11 defeat of Cork in the Munster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/limerick-beat-cork-to-earn-second-munster-u21-hurling-title-in-three-years-799624.html|title=Limerick beat Cork to earn second Munster U21 hurling title in three years|date=26 July 2017|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=31 July 2018|first=|last=}} On 9 September 2017, Lynch was at left wing-forward for Limerick's 0-17 to 0-11 defeat of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/limerick-savour-that-september-excitement-in-u21-hurling-final-458686.html|title=Limerick savour that September excitement in U21 hurling final|date=11 September 2017|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=31 July 2018|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}} He was once again honoured at the end of the season by being included on the Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/limerick-u21-hurling-all-ireland-gillane-3626268-Oct2017/|title=Gillane the star man as Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway and Cork players make U21 team of the year|date=2 October 2017|publisher=The 42|accessdate=5 August 2018|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}

=Senior=

==2015 season==

Lynch was just 19-years-old when he was drafted onto the Limerick senior panel by team manager T. J. Ryan in advance of the 2015 Waterford Crystal Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-hurling-1871085-Jan2015/|title=5 new faces in Limerick hurling panel, 6 depart, O'Grady still captain and Moran stays on|publisher=The 42|date=8 January 2015|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} He made his first appearance for the team on 17 January 2015, scoring three points from left wing-forward in a 2-15 to 1-15 quarter-final win over Waterford.{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/limerick-sport/limerick-hurlers-beat-waterford-in-opening-game-of-2015-1-6527849|title=Limerick hurlers beat Waterford in opening game of 2015|publisher=Limerick Leader|date=17 January 2015|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=Jerome|last=O'Connell}} Lynch was a regular during the pre-season competition and ended the campaign by claiming his first senior silverware after a 3-20 to 1-16 defeat of Cork in the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/limerick-win-waterford-crystal-cup-for-first-time-in-nine-years-660379.html|title=Limerick win Waterford Crystal Cup for first time in nine years|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=31 January 2015|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} He was retained on the Limerick panel for the 2015 National League and lined out in all six of Limerick's games after making his debut on 14 February 2015 in a 2-16 to 0-22 draw with Waterford.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20312822.html|title=Waterford put on a show but Limerick make their point|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=16 February 2015|accessdate=23 June 2015|first=|last=}} On 24 May 2015, Lynch made his first appearance in the Munster Championship when he gave a man of the match performance in a one-point quarter-final win over Clare.{{cite web|url= http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/limerick-beat-indisciplined-clare-in-munster-quarter-final-678565.html|title= Limerick beat indisciplined Clare in Munster quarter-final|date=25 May 2015|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=26 May 2015}}{{cite web|url= http://www.the42.ie/cian-lynch-limerick-2-2123002-May2015/|title= Limerick's newest hurling star embraced playing on a 'field of legends'|date=25 May 2015|publisher=The 42|accessdate=26 May 2015}} He was later named as the GAA/GPA Player of the Month.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/limerick-s-cian-lynch-named-gaa-gpa-hurler-of-the-month-for-may-1.2244881|title=Limerick's Cian Lynch named GAA/GPA hurler of the month for May|publisher=Irish Times|date=11 June 2015|accessdate=24 June 2015|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan}}

==2016 season==

Lynch was again included on the Limerick panel for the 2016 season, but missed the team's two opening games in the newly created pre-season Munster League. On 23 January 2016, he scored two points from left wing-forward when Limerick were beaten by Clare in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/clare-earn-dramatic-one-point-win-munster-final-2564550-Jan2016/|title=Clare earn dramatic one-point victory in Munster final|publisher=The 42|date=23 January 2016|accessdate=25 December 2020|first=Eoin|last=Brennan}} Lynch was a regular starter in Limerick's 2016 National League campaign and made six appearances in total, including at left wing-forward in the 3-23 to 1-18 semi-final defeat by Waterford.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/waterford-limerick-report-2720411-Apr2016/|title=Waterford book place in league decider with impressive win over Limerick|publisher=The 42|date=23 January 2016|accessdate=25 December 2020|first=Jackie|last=Cahill}}

==2017 season==

Lynch combined his Mary Immaculate College Fitzgibbon Cup duties with Limerick's Munster League campaign at the start of the 2017 season. On 29 January 2017, he came on as a 60th-minute substitute for team captain James Ryan in a 1-21 to 1-20 provincial league final defeat by Cork.{{cite web|url= http://www.the42.ie/alan-cadogan-cork-limerick-3211597-Jan2017/|title=Cadogan hits last-gasp goal as Cork claim Munster hurling league title against Limerick|date=29 January 2017|work=The 42|accessdate=23 February 2017}} Lynch made five appearances for Limerick during the 2017 National League campaign, including at left corner-forward in the ten-point defeat by Galway in the semi-final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arid-30785982.html|title=Galway see off Limerick to advance to Division 1 final|date=16 April 2017|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=5 August 2018|first=|last=}}

==2018 season==

Lynch was again named on the 38-man Limerick panel for the upcoming 2018 season, however, he missed some part of the pre-season Munster League due to Fitzgibbon Cup commitments with Mary Immaculate College.{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/281970/10-additions-to-2018-limerick-hurling-panel.html|title=10 additions to 2018 Limerick hurling panel|date=16 November 2017|publisher=Limerick Leader|access-date=5 August 2018|first=Jerome|last=O'Connell}} On 14 January 2018, he claimed his first senior silverware in three years when Limerick beat Clare by 0-16 to 0-10 to claim the pre-season tournament title.{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/limerick-make-bold-statement-of-intent-36487975.html|title=Limerick make bold statement of intent|date=15 January 2018|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=15 January 2018}} The subsequent National League saw Lynch line out in all seven of Limerick's games. On 19 August 2018, he was named at right corner-forward when Limerick faced Galway in the All-Ireland final.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-team-news-all-ireland-hurling-final-4188195-Aug2018/|title=Limerick name unchanged side for All-Ireland final showdown against Galway|date=17 August 2018|publisher=The 42|accessdate=19 December 2020|first=Emma|last=Duffy}} Lynch scored a point from play as Limerick won their first All-Ireland Championship title in 45 years after a 3-16 to 2-18 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/limerick-are-all-ireland-hurling-champions-for-the-first-time-in-45-years-following-epic-victory-over-galway-37230532.html|title=Limerick are All Ireland hurling champions for the first time in 45 years following epic victory over Galway|publisher=Irish Independent|date=19 August 2018|accessdate=20 August 2018|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} Later that day he was named on the Sunday Game Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0819/986154-limerick-rule-in-the-sunday-game-team-of-the-year/|title=Limerick rule in The Sunday Game team of the year|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=20 August 2018|accessdate=20 August 2018|first=|last=}} Lynch ended the season by being named Hurler of the Year, while he also selected as midfield partner to Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon on the All-Star Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/1101/1008065-lynch-is-hurler-of-year-fenton-wins-footballer-of-year/|title=Lynch is Hurler of Year, Fenton wins Footballer of Year|date=2 November 2018|publisher=RTE}}

==2019 season==

Lynch was again a regular for Limerick during the 2019 National League, playing a role in seven of their eight games. He scored two points from play when Limerick claimed their first Division 1 title since 1997 after a 1-24 to 0-19 win over Waterford in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-hurling-league-waterford-4569589-Mar2019/|title=Limerick end 22-year with for league honours in style with final win over Waterford|date=31 March 2019|publisher=The 42|accessdate=31 March 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} Lynch ended the 2019 Munster Championship with his first provincial winners' medal after the 2-26 to 2-14 win over Tipperary in the Munster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-tipperary-munster-hurling-4703771-Jun2019/|title=More glory for Limerick as they lift Munster crown with 12-point win over Tipperary|date=30 June 2019|publisher=The 42|accessdate=1 July 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} He ended the year by receiving his second successive All-Star nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/gaa-allstars-hurling-2019-4824531-Sep2019/|title=11 players from Tipperary as 8 counties feature in 2019 All-Star hurling nominations|date=26 September 2019|publisher=The 42|accessdate=26 September 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}

==2020 season==

Lynch wasn't included on the Limerick team for the two group stage games of the 2020 Munster League. He was back on the team at midfield for the final against Cork on 11 January 2020, and scored a point from play in the 1-32 to 0-20 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0111/1105733-limerick-cruise-past-to-cork-to-win-munster-league/|title=Stylish Limerick cruise past Cork to win Munster league|date=11 January 2020|publisher=RTÉ Sport|accessdate=18 December 2020|first=Denis|last=Hurley}} The subsequent National League campaign saw Lynch lining out in three of Limerick's five Division 1A games. On 25 October 2020, he was again at midfield for the 0-36 to 1-23 defeat of Clare in the delayed league final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40070783.html|title=Lethal Limerick storm to victory despite Tony Kelly brilliance|date=25 October 2020|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=25 October 2020|first=John|last=Fogarty}} Lynch ended the 2020 Munster Championship with a second successive winners' medal after lining out in the new position of centre-forward in the Munster final defeat of Waterford.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40082804.html|title=Limerick made to work by Waterford for historic Munster SHC crown|date=15 November 2020|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=23 November 2020|first=John|last=Fogarty}} He was again selected at centre-forward for the All-Ireland final against Waterford on 13 December 2020, ending the game with a second title in three years after the 0-30 to 0-19 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/aaron-gillane-to-start-as-limerick-and-waterford-teams-named-for-all-ireland-final-39853753.html|title=Aaron Gillane to start as Limerick and Waterford teams named for All-Ireland final|date=11 December 2020|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=19 December 2020|first=Conor|last=McKeon}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40189962.html|title=Limerick show consistency in a world gone mad to claim All-Ireland honours|date=13 December 2020|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=19 December 2020|first=John|last=Fogarty}}

==2021 season==

Lynch was named on the bench for Limerick's opening group stage game of the 2021 National League against Tipperary.{{cite web|url=https://sportinglimerick.com/john-kiely-names-first-limerick-squad-of-2021/|title=John Kiely names first Limerick squad of 2021|date=7 May 2021|publisher=Sporting Limerick|accessdate=11 September 2021|first=Jack|last=Neville}} After coming on as a substitute in the 0-20 apiece draw, he was restored to the starting fifteen for Limerick's next three games against Galway, Waterford and Cork, before dropping to the subs' bench for Limerick's final group stage game against Westmeath.{{cite web|url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/sport/640676/limerick-senior-hurling-team-named-for-allianz-league-with-westmeath.html|title=Limerick Senior hurling team named for Allianz league clash with Westmeath|date=11 June 2021|publisher=Limerick Leader|accessdate=11 September 2021|first=|last=}} After the team came in for criticism for a poor league start, Lynch stated: "It’s just about staying focused really and working hard every week, every game that comes your way. Just doing your best as a group and team. It’s just about driving on and we’re looking forward to the summer now."{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-hurling-2021-5457006-Jun2021/|title=Discipline issues, media scrutiny and a target on their backs — Limerick's rocky start to 2021|date=5 June 2021|publisher=The 42|accessdate=11 September 2021|first=|last=}} Lynch subsequently claimed a third successive Munster Championship title as well as being named man of the match for his Munster final performance against Tipperary.{{cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40339985.html|title=Immense second-half turnaround sees Limerick deny Tipperary in Munster final|date=18 July 2021|publisher=Echo Live|accessdate=11 September 2021|first=|last=}} He was again named man of the match after claiming a third All-Ireland winners' medal in four seasons following the All-Ireland final defeat of Cork.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2021/0822/1242237-lynch-treasuring-special-limerick-moments/|title=Lynch treasuring 'special' Limerick moments|date=22 August 2021|publisher=RTÉ Sport|accessdate=11 September 2021|first=|last=}} Lynch was subsequently named GAA/GPA Player of the Month for the second time in his career.{{cite web|url=https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/320001|title=Donohue, Wall, Lynch and McGeary pick up GAA/GPA awards for August|date=7 September 2021|publisher=Hogan Stand|access-date=7 September 2021|first=|last=}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Year !colspan="3"\|National League !colspan="2"\|Munster !colspan="2"\|All-Ireland !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Division	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score
rowspan="7"\|Limerick \|2015 \|rowspan="4"\|Division 1B \|6	0-07	2	0-03	2	0-00	10	0-10
2016 \|6	0-02	1	0-01	1	0-01	8	0-04
2017 \|5	1-05	1	0-02	1	0-00	7	1-07
2018 \|7	0-07	4	0-09	4	1-03	15	1-19
2019 \|rowspan="3"\|Division 1A \|6	0-04	5	0-04	1	0-00	12	0-08
2020 \|4	0-03	3	0-05	2	0-02	9	0-10
2021 \|4	0-05	2	0-04	2	0-09	8	0-18
\|2022 \| \|3	1-01	2	0-02	1	0-00	6	1-03
\|2023 \| \|5	0-06	4	0-01	2	0-03	11	0-10
\|2024 \| \|3	0-02	5	0-03	1	0-01	9	0-06
\|2025 \| \|6	0-06	4	0-05	0	0-00	10	0-11 \|
colspan="3"\|Career total !55	2-48	33	0-39	17	1-19	105	3-105