Limerick have retained their All-Ireland crown after a convincing victory over Cork at Croke Park this afternoon, and in truth there was never any doubt that Liam MacCarthy would be returning to the Treaty County. The great Cian Lynch was everyone's man of the match.
John Kiely's side blitzed their Munster rivals in the opening half with one of the great 35 minutes of hurling we have ever seen, notching a remarkable 3-18 in that opening half as they led by 13 points at the interval.
The game was over as a contest from that point, although Cork did manage to slow the rate of scoring on the second half. In the end, the 15-point margin in now way flattered Limerick.
This performance gave a scary warning as to what is to come from this team over the next few years, with Limerick having now won three of the last four All-Irelands. That number is only going to grow in the near future.
One man who will be instrumental to that is Cian Lynch.
"It’s like trying to play hurling against Harry Potter"
Dónal Óg Cusack sums up the wizardry of Cian Lynch pic.twitter.com/aQXfn4hrn8— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 22, 2021
He was faultless today, scoring six points in a remarkable display. Unsurprisingly, he was named man-of-the-match for his effortsCi
Speaking to RTÉ after the final whistle, Cian Lynch described just how special it was to win another All-Ireland for Limerick.
Cian Lynch interview
"Once we step inside the field or go training, this is our family. We fight for each other, we'll die for each other..." - Cian Lynch accepts his man of the match award. #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/gxeyhRqQbh
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 22, 2021
Growing up in Limerick, you're aspiring to represent your club and your county. We go on about family, out family and friends at home, but when we step inside the field or go into training this is our family.
Especially the last 12 or 18 months, we've had each other. At the end of the day that's all we've had when we walk in between these white lines.
We fight for each other, we die for each other. For these supporters, that's what it's about...
Every man out there on the pitch is on the next man's shoulder, driving him on and pushing the next man beside him. That's what it's all about.
For any young girl or boy aspiring to represent your county in any sport, be a team player and keep driving on. Keep enjoying your sport because at the end of the day life is short, this is what it's all about...
I try and get up in the morning and be grateful that I'm able to get up out of bed and attack the day.
To be able to go out with these lads training, the backroom staff, having my mother and father have my gear ready, that's what it's about. It's special, your brothers and sisters, and the supporters here.
I know it's a cliché, but Limerick are the best supporters in the world. Luimneach abú!
At 25-years old, the scary thing is that we might not have even seen this lad at his peak yet.
We can only imagine what is to come.
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