With almost a two year age difference between them, it is no surprise that Monaghan United’s Aidan and St Patrick’s Athletic’s Damian Lynch have grown up playing football together. The sport mad brothers spent their childhood playing together according to older brother Aidan “We were never off the street playing. We were both mad for any sports and played football, hurling and gaelic constantly”
Both brothers played at St Kevin’s boys before their careers took them to different clubs, with Damien heading off to Notingham Forrest and later Leeds United while Aidan stayed in Ireland but played for his Country in the Republic of Ireland Under 20’s team with another Damien by the name of Duff. “There was never any rivalry between us, we played at different age levels at St Kevins and we always supported each other and pushed each other to do better. We always want each other to do well”
Nowadays they don’t play football together, family occasions are spent enjoying each other’s company rather than kicking the ball about. “Outside of football we try to relax. We are very close and talk to each other everyday on the phone and meet up as often as we can. Our family are very supportive of us both and our parents, sisters and older brother try to get to our games as often as they can and hopefully will be in Monaghan on Friday cheering us both on!”
Aidan and Damien have come up against each other in the past, particularly when Aidan was at Drogheda United and Damien was at Bohemians, but Friday will have an extra added spice to it. “Damien has come out the winner of too many of our previous meetings and maybe I am due a win” he laughed. “I am delighted for Damien & St Pats for their amazing results in the Europa Cup. They were great last year too and pushed Hertha Berlin hard. They may be inconsistent in the league at the moment but they are on a high from their European adventures and their confidence will be high making it a hard game for us. We have had a good run lately and we have a good squad of players but they are undoubtedly favourites to progress.”
Aidan became a dad for the first time on Friday last when his wife Avril gave birth to baby boy Luke who weighed in at 8lbs 6oz and he has great hopes that his son will carry on the family footballing name. Brother Damien’s wife is due to give birth near the end of September so this family’s footballing legacy may be secure for many years to come.
Brotherly love and family loyalties are strong but when the Lynch boys take to the pitch on Friday night it will be game on and club pride that matters.
