I JUST FELT PARANOID..

Limerick maestro Lynch admits injury nightmare ended up taking a big toll on him mentally as well as physically

- PAT NOLAN

LIMERICK star Cian Lynch admits his injury hell over the past couple of seasons made him "paranoid" as to where the next setback was coming from.

Hamstring and ankle injuries meant that Lynch missed the bulk of last year's Championship campaign, including the All-Ireland final, while the hamstring flared up again this year and curtailed his involvement at the back end of the Munster Championship.

He came good just at the right time, however, starring in Croke Park as Limerick saved their best for the biggest stage to complete the four-in-a-row in style.

In the absence of Declan Hannon (inset) through injury, Lynch captained the side and his performances culminated in his being named as the PwC Hurler of the Month for July.

"I was always very lucky growing up and, thank God, I was injury-free, said Lynch. "Last year I first did my hamstring and then the ankle, obviously niggling away after that.