All-Ireland winner Mary-Kate Lynch on overcoming adversity and the value of Sports Psychology in elite-level sport.
“I went into the cubicle in Croke Park, locked myself in the toilet and said, cop on, you have to go back on.”
The M7 from Meath to Limerick has become a well-trodden path for Meath Ladies footballer Mary-Kate Lynch. A key component of the Royal County’s back-to-back All-Ireland victories in 2021 and 2022, the Summerhill native has recently started a Masters in Psychology at the University of Limerick and is a strong advocate on the importance of Sports Psychology for elite-level athletes.
Speaking to Limerick Voice, Lynch told of her own experience working with a professional Sports Psychologist which has been key to her success on and off the field.
“I remember when I first went in, I was kind of like, why am I going in here? There’s nothing wrong with me. After a quick chat, she said I was just lacking a little bit of confidence..gave me a few tips and tricks about keeping a notebook, things I wanted to improve on and each week I could see that list was getting shorter.”
Having been thrust into the Meath Senior team at the age of 17, Lynch had to learn quickly in adapting to the physical and mental demands of top-level football and has since established herself as one of the more senior members of the team in her role as vice-captain.
“I think it was something I struggled with when I went in first because I was so young. I was like, I can’t tell her where to go. She’s been playing for like 10 years, you know? So it was kind of something I had to grow into, and maybe in the last few years I’ve been more comfortable in.”
It hasn’t always been plain sailing. In the 2022 Division 1 League Final, Lynch was booked and sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes either side of half-time, a potentially shattering moment for a young player who was only 19 at the time. Looking back, she realises now how her own mental strength helped her get back on the pitch to help Meath overcome Donegal and win their first ever Division 1 title.
“I came off like a bull, I was like, oh my god, I can’t believe I did that, I’ve let the team down. So I went into the cubicle in Croke Park, locked myself in the toilet and said, cop on, you have to go back on, just compose yourself now. And obviously that’s a form of self-talk, I probably wouldn’t have even realised I do this a lot or even during games as well…I think I learned a lot more about myself”
Three years on, Lynch is now studying full-time in Limerick and is captain of the UL Ladies Gaelic Football team. Having studied educational psychology at undergraduate level in the University of Maynooth, it’s no surprise that she was drawn towards Sports Psychology and UL presented the perfect opportunity to combine her passions in terms of education and competitive sport.
“Sports psychology was never really a thing I was thinking about from a young age; it was more as I went and got experience…why wouldn’t I do something I’m passionate about and I love? So that’s how I came to the conclusion of doing a Sports Psychology Masters.”
As talented as she is on the field, Lynch’s leadership and motivational skills are clearly evident as she looks ahead to both her own future and the future of Ladies Gaelic Football in Ireland.
“I used to coach Under 12s, 13s and 14s..you obviously try and encourage them as much as you can to stay in the sport. You have to keep it fun..I think that’s really important to keep people playing because it can get serious very quickly and that also can make people drop off.”
A role model for young athletes and strong head on her shoulders; Mary-Kate Lynch looks set for a bright future both in the game and beyond.
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Challenge and Sacrifice: Balancing Education and Competitive Sport
A recent study by the Gaelic Players Association and Technological University of the Shannon found that 63% of student inter-county GAA players are regularly overwhelmed by their commitments, with a third regularly missing class due to schedule conflicts.
Mary-Kate Lynch is one of these, currently balancing her commitments to the Meath Ladies football team and her full-time studies at UL.
“I think it comes down to communication and trust between manager and player. They’re happy with the training I’m getting down here. It can get very overwhelming and obviously a bit stressful, but I’m learning as I go and communication is key between everyone.”
Lynch spoke of the challenges being away from her county teammates during the week, and how she balances the logistics of succeeding both in education and sport.
“You kind of feel like you’re missing out on that group and that team. You don’t want to be coming in saying ‘oh do this, do that’. But that’s what people are expecting you to do, to come back in and be a leader. I probably just time it a bit better, I might go home on a Thursday evening, travel back on Saturday..I think it’s more about planning and organisation to be honest.”
As with every top athlete, one of the key success factors is sacrifice. Diet, routine, discipline – all factors which Lynch believes help her to balance her studies and sporting ambition.
“I’m mainly a taxi most of the time to be fair. I do drink, but I wouldn’t be mad about it either unless we win something…I try to eat as well as I can, have meal prep done. It’s about making sure you’re keeping yourself in the best shape to get the best out of your performance.”
Paul Madden 