Cian Lynch waves away concerns over changes to hand-pass rule

Limerick can adapt, says All-Ireland winner awarded Hurler of the Month for August

Limerick’s Cian Lynch, who received the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Month Award for August. Photograph: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Cian Lynch says that he’s confident Limerick could adapt were the hand pass in hurling to be changed. There is concern that many passes are in fact throws, although rarely whistled by referees. Quick transfer by hand and stick is part of the All-Ireland champions’ trademark style that has seen them dominate hurling in recent years.

“Life is all about adapting,” he told a media call to announce Player of the Month awards, “and no matter what you do in life, whether it’s sport, education, work, you have to adapt to different things.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about different rules or regulations about a new hand pass or whatever that point is there but, look, we just do what we have to do – that’s working hard and going out and enjoying the sport. Things do change in life, scenarios do change, and you have to do what is put in front of you.”

Demolition

After a spectacular season which he ended as Hurler of the Year-elect, Lynch was asked had he appreciated the quality of Limerick’s demolition of Cork in the All-Ireland final while the match was in progress.

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“I suppose when you’re in the middle of a game you don’t really get a chance to stand back and acknowledge different things or analyse the game itself. For us it’s just about focusing on the game and doing what you have to do as a player in any position.

Limerick’s Cian Lynch celebrates his team’s All-Ireland SHC final win over Cork in Croke Park on August 22nd. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

“Whoever’s given the nod on the day to fulfil a role, you just go out and do that, but obviously once the final whistle goes and you get a chance to meet your parents, your mother and father and your family and your supporters, that’s your chance really just to take a step back and look around and realise that you’ve gotten over the line and it’s huge. It’s a huge honour, I suppose really to be able to do that.”

Preference

He was finally asked had he a preference in Saturday’s All-Ireland football final between Mayo and Tyrone.

“I have to be very diplomatic here. I won’t say any team. I’m a big fan of the football and I’ve been watching the games throughout the year and down through the years and I suppose a Mayo and Tyrone final is something that hasn’t been seen so it’s going to be brilliant, a brilliant spectacle.

“May the best team win because we know what it’s like going up to a final, the week leading up to it, it’s hard.”

Lynch was one of the winners of the GAA-GPA players of the month award on Tuesday, having starred in Limerick’s record achievement of winning back-to-back All-Irelands for the county. Others honoured were Tyrone’s Kieran McGeary, who was Man of the Match in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Kerry and faces Mayo in this Saturday’s final; All-Ireland camogie finalist Aoife Donohue from Galway and Meath’s Vikki Wall, who was sensational in her county’s take-down of Dublin’s five-in-a-row ambitions in last weekend’s All-Ireland final.

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times