Nobody on planet earth enjoyed Limerick’s win more than Cian Lynch

When Limerick needed him, Cian Lynch delivered.

Lynch produced the goods on All-Ireland final day. Anyone who knows the Patrickswell man would have told you as much. Never in doubt. Kyles Hayes may have won The Sunday Game's man-of-the-match but Lynch was propelled into the debate after his lung-busting, harrying performance against Galway. Allied to his all-round excellence this year, it was no surprise when Kilkenny legend Eddie Brennan mentioned him in the discussion for hurler of the year. The 22-year-old was in fine form for the Treaty County as they marched to Croke Park and a date with destiny. Ahead of the final, Lynch told a class tale to The Sun about his uncle Ciarán Carey playing in the 1996 final against Wexford. When Carey lapped over a point, Lynch literally took to the skies. He said:

"I was only born in ’96 and I was on my mum's breast, taking milk, and she threw me up in the air, but she forgot to catch me. I don’t remember that now"

Lynch reached the minor All-Ireland final with Limerick and won U21 titles in 2015 and 2017 despite aslready being a regular member of the senior panel. His fearlessness, and relentless verve, in the face of Kilkenny, Tipperary, Cork, Galway and all other comers epitomised the spirit of this year's All-Ireland champions. Nickie Quaid, Shane Dowling and John Kiely all went buck mad at the final whistle of Limerick's 3-16 to 2-18 victory but, to our mind, no-one on earth enjoyed that triumph more than Lynch. For a young man who described some of his earliest memories as his father Seán driving full-size sliothars at him out in the garden - 'Nine times out of ten, you’d miss it but you’d always catch that one ball' - it was a moment to treasure. The pictures in the aftermath are pure class. Taking it all in (with Nickie Quaid)