Oldest All-Ireland winning hurler Jimmy Lynam dies aged 100 in Cork

Tributes are being paid to Jimmy Lynam, the oldest All-Ireland winning hurler in Ireland, who passed away at the age of 100 in Cork. Lynam, a celebrated figure in both hurling and Gaelic football, died at Ballynoe nursing home on Sunday, just weeks before his 101st birthday.

“

Aside from his success with Cork in both hurling and football, Jimmy was a tremendous club man with Glen Rovers and our sister club St Nicks – he won seven senior county hurling championships with the Glen between 1944 and 1954 and one football championship with St Nicks in 1954.

Lynam's hurling career with Cork saw him win his first All-Ireland medal as a substitute in 1952 and a second a year later. He also earned a Munster football medal with Cork in 1949. Beyond his inter-county success, Lynam was a committed clubman, achieving seven senior county hurling championships with Glen Rovers and one football championship with St Nicks. His service extended to 40 years as treasurer for St Nicks.

“

He had a lot of achievements on the field in both codes – you get a lot of great players that come and go but Jimmy stayed. He had a great grá for football and he stayed treasurer with St Nicks for 40 years – that was some record of service.

Glen Rovers chairman Liam Martin remembered Lynam as a skilled and speedy hurler who excelled at corner forward. Martin also highlighted Lynam's sharp wit and engaging personality, noting his continued visits to the club well into his 90s. Lynam's involvement in the construction of the Glen Hall in the 1950s, alongside figures like Jack Lynch, further underscored his dedication to his clubs.

“

He was very droll – he was driving into his 90s and he used to come up to the club every Sunday morning, but he would always have a funny quip with lads with plenty of banter and slagging – he was your typical unassuming northsider.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Lynam's life spanned significant historical events. He recalled traveling to Croke Park in 1939 to witness a hurling final, the same day England declared war on Germany. This memory, from when he was just 14, served as a stark reminder of the global turmoil that would shape the following years.

“

It was September 3rd, 1939 and England declared war on Germany that day. I was only 14 years old and people were worried going up in the train when they heard the news that war had been declared, and of course it lasted six years and millions were killed – it was terrible.