Cian Lynch admits hamstring injury could have ended career

Cian Lynch has revealed that the hamstring injury he suffered two years ago was career threatening, admitting it left him clinging to "faith" and "hope".

The Limerick star and two-time Hurler of the Year suffered the setback in the opening minutes of the 2022 Munster SHC tie against Waterford.

It wasn't until 10 weeks later that he returned to action as a sub in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Galway.

Between then and the final against Kilkenny, the Patrickswell icon suffered a further agonising ankle injury which eventually required surgery, capping off a disastrous few months.

Lynch had more trouble with the same hamstring during the 2023 championship, costing him precious game time again, and the 28-year-old has now acknowledged the full extent of the initial injury.

Former team-mate Tom Condon said in an interview that Lynch's hamstring injury in 2022 threatened his career and the player himself agreed.

"I think it was, yeah," nodded Lynch at the launch of Insomnia's five-year partnership with the GAA and GPA. "I think it was something like Grade 3, Grade 3C or something. Yeah, initially it was. But sure if you take what you're told initially on everything, you'd be left with nothing.

"I suppose faith is a huge thing and having a bit of hope. Thank God I was able to get back going again."

Lynch aggravated the same hamstring in last summer's Munster SHC Round 2 loss to Clare. He started the next game against Tipp but was taken off, was used as a sub against Cork in the last round and didn't feature at all in the provincial final.

"I was just trying to get it right," said Lynch of those difficult weeks before returning to top form in the 2023 All-Ireland series.

Lynch was photographed with a crutch last winter and didn't