'Why do people play?' - Limerick's Cian Lynch is no fan of penalty shootouts
Certainly not after his team's hopes of a record seventh Munster hurling title in a row were dashed when they lost a final shoot-out to Cork last Saturday night.
The two-time Hurler of the Year didn't want to take from Cork's achievement but he said yesterday he believes there should be a better way of deciding a match of such significance.
'Penalties… like, hurling is so instinctive. It's an art form, it's an expression. Why do people play it? It's because it's a 15-man game. It's a chance to have a man on the shoulder to support.
'But when it comes to penalties, other than the five guys and the goalie, I suppose you're helpless standing on the sideline watching. It's tough for guys, but it is what it is.' Cian Lynch of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Known as one of the most skilful players in the game, Lynch admitted he still wouldn't be known for his ability to strike a deadball.
'If you were asked to take one, I'm sure 100 per cent you'd do anything you can to help the team, But I wouldn't be someone that's known to stand over a free or a penalty, to be honest with you.
'But obviously our guys, the five Limerick lads, the same as Cork obviously and Nickie [Quaid], to step up, that takes some courage.
'After playing 70 to 90 minutes of hurling, to have it based on standing over a penalty, that is tough. That is some responsibility. But great credit to the guys.' 7 June 2025; Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork is tackled by Michael Casey and William O'Donoghue of Limerick during the Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship final match between Limerick and Cork at LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Understandably, Lynch would have favoured a replay. Instead, Limerick now face a quarter-final against Dublin or Kildare.
'I suppose it's not for me to make a point or make a comment on what's the right thing to do but you'd love to have another crack at it. Any team would.
'But for us, it's just about accepting that that's in the past now. We unfortunately didn't win and Cork did.'
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