Gaelic Games

Sporting hits of 2021: Cian Lynch the magic man as Limerick destroy Cork

Lynch delivers an awesome performance as All-Ireland SHC title is retained at a canter

Cian Lynch delivered a mesmerising performance as Limerick retained the All-Ireland title. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Philip Reid's face
Philip Reid
Wed Dec 29 2021 - 08:00

All-Ireland Senior Championship Final - Limerick v Cork, Croke Park, August 22nd.

A magician with a wand. Cian Lynch with a hurley.

Limerick destroyed poor Cork to the extent that the destiny of the Liam MacCarthy Cup was all over by the time the half-time whistle was blown.

And while Limerick’s team performance in those opening 35 minutes - by which time they led 3-18 to 1-11 - was awesome, Lynch was the one pulling the strings.

So many snapshots.

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From the start, with his first touch on just 10 seconds, firing the sliothar from 60 metres through the posts for the opening score.

Another. His white helmet and number 11 jersey claiming possession and then setting up Gearoid Hegarty for a goal.

Late on in the half, Cork’s Mark Coleman reduced to pulling the fabric off Lynch’s back in a vain effort to stop him. He didn’t. Lynch kept going and supplied the pass to Hegarty for another goal.

Cian Lynch celebrates after scoring a point in Limerick’s rout of Cork. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

In that first half, Lynch had the ball seven times and, apart from his own point, gave the assist to another 2-4 from play.

In the second-half, with the match won, Lynch became the finisher rather than the primary provider. The red-haired wonder helped himself to five further points of his own. Off his right from 60 metres. Another from 45 metres. One from close range. Then off his left from 50 metres. Off his right, and finally from 60 metres again off his right. Living the dream.

In the end, Limerick coasted to a 3-32 to 1-22 win to retain the trophy.

“It’s a team ethos, it’s family . . . every breath is a hard breath to take and every ball is hard won and every tackle hard to get through,” Lynch admitted in his pitchside interview afterwards.

“We all grow up to aspire to play in Croke Park, the Gaelic Grounds, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Thurles. For youngsters, (I say) keep reaching and aspire to whatever you want to be. There’s no limits in life. I’ve lived out a few dreams here today, it’s special.”