Sean Lynch has dedicated his life to sport and Innishvilla AFC

HE recently celebrated his 70th birthday but over 50 years of that have been in service of Innishvilla AFC. 

Club president Sean Lynch was hugely praised by his football family for his commitment to the sport.

He is Honorary President of Innishvilla AFC, the club he set up back in the 1960s. He is the beating heart of Innishvilla, along with his wife Joan, having been secretary for 40 years.

Director of Football Shane Fitzgerald explained Lynch started as manager of the Innishvilla junior side when they were a one-club team in the village of Innishannon. 

"Rumour has it that he did play a game on the hollowed ground of the GAA club back in the '70s when they found out that the Valley Rovers were playing away and the pitch was free. It was a friendly against a Bandon selection and imagine what would have happened at the time if this was found out!

Many former and current players from the club celebrated Sean's 70th birthday last week and reflected on the great work he is continuing to do.

"I’m very grateful to Sean Lynch for making me so welcome during some very enjoyable years with Innishvilla," said Larry Ryan. "When you talk about somebody being the heart and soul of a club, it’s people like Sean you mean. 

Together with his wife Joan, they are the glue that holds together a club and a community. 

"The wheels that keep a show on the road. When the FAI is busy building new pathways, they should always remember the cornerstones like Sean, people who keep football going in rural places, often against heavy odds."

Schoolboys coach and former player Brian Broderick said: "As I reflect on my time with Innishvilla as a player and youth coach, I continue to be in awe of the level of commitment Sean gives to the club. He has been hugely instrumental to the growth of Innishvilla and very importantly the inclusive and supportive culture within it."

Treating everyone with respect seems to be a phrase that pops up a lot when talking about Lynch. Club secretary Lloyd O'Connor summed it up: "Sean is a great ambassador for the club, someone every club needs, a true gent, who treats everyone with the same respect throughout the club."

SELFLESS

The girls' section has developed massively in recent years.

"Seán is an inspiration to all of us, he has worked selflessly to develop Innishvilla over the years and I am proud to call him a friend," said Brian Quinn.

"A man that dedicated his life to football in the Innishannon area, to give kids and adults a chance to play sport. Without Sean, Innishvilla would not be in existence," Noel Ryan, club chairman.

He is not only Mr Innishvilla but also an avid Irish supporter, who has attended three World Cups in Italy, USA and South Korea along with his wife Joan. Back in 2018, he received a very special reward from the FAI for his services to football.

"From starting a club with one team in the late '60s that was without jerseys, goal posts or a pitch to where it now stands a club that sits proudly on its own land with two full-size grass pitches, an U12 astro, four dressing rooms, showers and a referee room," said Shane Fitzgerald.

"Over €1.5 million over the years has been spent but where does the money come from? Sean and Joan are constantly working tirelessly to ensure the much-needed funds as his blood runs the same orange as the club kit. Back when the dressing rooms were being done we were at a shortfall and at the time Sean had retired and he helped bridge the gap with a large portion of his retirement package. 

"We would have failed for the grants if this money was not in place. I’m not sure how long he waited for the return of said money but who does that?

"Sean's love for the game, his love for the sport and the ambition he has to make the sport a success in our local area knows no bounds. 

Innishannon and surrounding areas are indebted to Sean for all the years of hard work he put in to get the game to this level in Innishvilla. 

"Even now his embarked on the task of writing a club history of Innishvilla's 50 years of memories. Does he do it for profit? Certainly not. 

"He does it for the love of the game. If only every parish had a Sean Lynch where would Irish soccer be now."