Diarmuid Lyng (born 1981 in Wexford, Ireland) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling and Gaelic football with his local club St Martin's and was a member of the Wexford senior inter-county hurling team from 2004 to 2013.[1] His nickname "Gizzy" was acquired in his childhood and is a reference to the character Gizmo from the movie Gremlins.[2] A graduate of Froebel College of Education, Lyng is a primary school teacher.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Diarmuid Ó Loinn | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Left wing-forward | ||
| Born |
1981 (age 42–43) Wexford, Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Nickname | Gizzy | ||
| Occupation | Primary school teacher | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
1999-2020 | Tralee Parnells | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Wexford titles | 1 | ||
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
2004-2013 | Wexford | 22 (1-82) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Leinster titles | 1 | ||
| All-Irelands | 0 | ||
| NHL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 14:45, 25 June 2012. | |||
Playing career edit
Club edit
Lyng plays both hurling and Gaelic football with his local club St Martin's in Piercestown and has experienced much success.
In 1999 Lyng was still a member of the clubs minor team when he made his senior debut as a seventeen-year-old. He was a non-playing substitute when St Martin's defeated Rathnure by two points to win their very first county championship.
After losing a final in the meantime St Martin's were back in the championship decider in 2008. A 1-13 to 1-8 defeat of Oulart-the-Ballagh gave Lyng his first county title on the field of play.[3]
He later joined Kerry side Tralee Parnells
Inter-county edit
Lyng first came to prominence with Wexford as a member of the county's minor team in 1999. He enjoyed little success in this grade having lost a Leinster decider to Kilkenny. He later joined the Wexford under-21 team, winning back-to-back Leinster titles in 2001 and 2002.[citation needed]
Lyng made his senior debut for Wexford in a National Hurling League game against Kilkenny in 2004. He remained on the fringes of the team and was a non-playing substitute when Wexford captured the Leinster title. He made his championship debut later that year when he came on as a substitute against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.[4]
By 2005 Lyng was a regular on the Wexford starting fifteen, however, the Slanysliders had to play second fiddle to Kilkenny in the provincial championship. Lyng lined out in four Leinster finals in-a-row, however, Kilkenny were the winners on all four occasions.[citation needed]
In 2009 Lyng was appointed Wexford captain. He retained that position in 2010 and guided the team to a National League Division 2 title following a defeat of Clare.[5]
Inter-provincial edit
Lyng has lined out with Leinster on a number of occasions in the inter-provincial series. He won two Railway Cup medals in 2006 and 2009.
Post-playing career edit
After a spiritual awakening, Lyng moved to Corca Dhuibhne and co-founded Wild Irish with his partner, poet Siobhán de Paor. Wild Irish endeavors to assist their compatriots with mental health and societal stress by spending time in nature with Ireland's indigenous language, Gaeilge.
Lyng narrated the documentary Réabhlóid GAA, which TG4 premiered in December 2020.[6][7]
Honours edit
- 2 Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship 2001 2002
- 2 Railway Cup 2006 2009
- 1 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship 2004
- 1 National Hurling League Division 1 2010
- 1 Wexford Senior Hurling Championship 2008
References edit
- ^ "Lyng to captain Wexford in the championship". Hogan Stand. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ^ Cliona, Foley (4 September 2017). "'I spent my whole career thinking if I didn't win an All-Ireland then my career was a failure. That's how you're taught to see it. What a destructive mode of thinking that is'". independent.ie. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- ^ "St. Martin's earn first Wexford SHC title". Breaking News. 2 November 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ^ "Hurler profile: Diarmuid Lyng". Hurling Stats. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ^ "Relief for Bonnar as Wexford climb out of the mire". Irish Examiner. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ^ "'The story of a revolution': TG4 doc looks back at a decade that redefined hurling". The42.ie. 30 November 2020.
- ^ "Diarmuid Lyng — Réabhlóid GAA". RTÉ Radio 1. 11 December 2020.