Silverware on show as former Cork and Glen Rovers hurler marks 100th birthday

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025 - 09:52

John O'Shea

Celebration was in the air at the Care Choice nursing home in Whites Cross as a former Cork All-Ireland winning hurling star, who played alongside the legendary Christy Ring, marked becoming a centenarian.

In a room festooned with an array of balloons in the colours of his beloved Glen Rovers, Jimmy Lynam celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

The crowd was treated to a performance by the Glen Rovers Initiative Choir. A double All-Ireland senior hurling championship winner, Mr Lynam played along some some legendary names on the pitch in his time — including Christy Ring and former taoiseach Jack Lynch.

A member of the great Cork team of the early 1950s, Mr Lynam won his first All-Ireland winners medal in 1952.

Jimmy Lynam with members of his family at his 100th birthday celebrations that took place at Care Choice in Ballynoe, Whites Cross, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

He came on as a substitute in the final as the Rebels defeated Dublin by 2-14 to 0-7.

A lightning fast forward, he won his second All-Ireland winning medal one year later as part of the Cork squad that defeated Galway by 3-3 to 0-8.

Mr Lynam also won seven Cork Senior Hurling Championship winners medals with Glen Rovers.

Speaking to The Echo Mr Lynam’s son, Kieran, said of his father:

“Am I proud of him? Absolutely. The GAA gave him a purpose when he was young, and it gave him friends for life. It is a big part of his life, and he will tell you that himself.”

Kieran said his father tells a great story about winning his first county final with Glen Rovers.

Glen Rovers president John O'Callaghan makes a presentation on behalf of the Glen Rovers Social Initiative Choir to Jimmy Lynam on his 100th birthday, also in picture is his brother Noel Lynam. Picture: David Creedon

“He was, I think, 18 years old. There were fellas on that Glen team that had just won the four All-Ireland’s in a row with Cork, the likes of Jack Lynch and Christy Ring,” said Kieran.

“They were inside in the dressing room. The ref blew the whistle for them to go out onto the pitch. One of the mentors said to the players ‘you can’t win a county in here, get out and get at it’.

“Then, two of the Cork quadruple winners turned around to Jimmy, patted him on the back and said ‘come on boyeen, come out here and we will mind you’. Stories like that he will talk about all day.”

Still enjoying life, Mr Lynam enjoys taking in various sporting events on TV with the remote control firmly at his side.

As he hits a major milestone birthday, Jimmy Lynam can look back very proudly on a life that has seen him make a very significant contribution to hurling with both Cork and Glen Rovers.