Researching Jack Lynch

He was the third leader of Fianna Fáil from 1966 until 1979, succeeding the hugely influential Seán Lemass. Lynch was the last Fianna Fáil leader to secure (in 1977) an overall majority in the Dáil for his party. Historian and journalist T. Ryle Dwyer has called him "the most popular Irish politician since Daniel O'Connell."

Before his political career Lynch had a successful sporting career as a dual player of Gaelic games. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1936 until 1950. Lynch also played Gaelic football with his local club St Nicholas' and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1936 until 1946.

In a senior inter-county hurling career that lasted for fourteen years he won five All-Ireland titles, seven Munster titles, three National Hurling League titles and seven Railway Cup titles. In a senior inter-county football career that lasted for ten years Lynch won one All-Ireland title, two Munster titles and one Railway Cup title. Lynch was later named at midfield on the Hurling Team of the Century and the Hurling Team of the Millennium.

Lynch was born in Toronto, Ontario. He played junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals. He was selected by the Penguins in the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft.

Lynch was traded from Detroit to Washington in February 1975. At the time of the trade, Lynch was a plus-minus rating of -15 after 50 games, but in just 20 games with the Caps he increased this to -54, giving him a total of -69 for the season.

His pitch selection included a drop curve and an "inshoot", which was probably the modern screwball.

The New York Clipper wrote of Jack Lynch::Studying the in-and-out curves, rises, and drop deliveries, he rapidly acquired a reputation as an effective and puzzling pitcher...He has complete control of the ball, with all the curves and varying paces in delivery, and is cool and self-possessed.

Lynch, a dashing wingman, started out at West Adelaide in 1948 by winning the Sam Sucking Medal as the club's best first year player and he went on to win West's Best & Fairest award in 1952. During his time with West Adelaide, Lynch played in three losing Grand Finals, all to Port Adelaide (1954, 1956 and 1958).

Lynch was also a strong performer at interstate level, representing South Australia in 16 matches and earning All-Australian selection at the 1953 Adelaide Carnival. In doing so Lynch became the first West Adelaide player to earn All-Australian selection. He also twice selected in the 'Sporting Life' Team of the Year.

Lynch retired from league football following the 1958 Grand Final loss to Port Adelaide. In his 11 seasons with the club he played 147 games and kicked 14 goals

Jack Lynch was an inaugural inductee into the West Adelaide Hall of Fame in 2005 and the following year he was inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.