Glowing tributes have been pouring in for All-Ireland hurling hero of 1968, Paul Lynch, who passed away over the weekend. One of the finest players the town of Enniscorthy has ever produced, he was predeceased by his brother, Mickey, last year.
Paul won his first All-Ireland medal in 1961 when assisting Wexford to the intermediate hurling title, in the inaugural year of the championship, defeating London in the final. At that time he was a player with the Shamrocks club who also contributed Jim Hyland, Michael Collins, Paddy Sullivan, Larry Byrne, then captain, and John Coady to that historic first winning team.
Lynch went on to play with the Model county in the 1962 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final where they lost to Tipperary, but missed out on the 1965 defeat to the Premier county. Then came that famous 1968 victory when Paul and his club mate, Eddie Kelly, brought fame over the Templeshannon side of the town and the Shamrocks club.
He made a total of eleven championship appearances for Wexford between 1962 and 1969, winning Leinster hurling titles in 1962 and 1968, a National League medal in 1967 when they defeated Kilkenny in the final, and a league runners-up medal in 1969 when they went down to Cork, while also adding Walsh Cup successes to his haul.
Paul played with Shamrocks in the 1966 county Senior hurling final, losing out to Geraldine O'Hanrahans of New Ross following a replay. Three years later he won his first club championship medal with a victory over Ferns, while the Shamrocks lost out in the 1970 final to Buffers Alley. Having switched his allegiance to Rapparees he was a substitute on the 1972 team which lost out in the final to Rathnure.
Paul was also adept with the 'big ball' as he was on the Starlights team which lost the 1963 county senior final to Ballyhogue.

Wexford People, 21st January 2014 Tweet

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