Vale ‘Thirsty’ – Parramatta Eels Heritage Number 197
The Parramatta Eels are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eels player #197, Ron Lynch who made a significant contribution to the club as player, captain, and coach.
Ron was a Country Seconds and NSW representative from Forbes in 1960 before joining Parramatta in 1961.
He made an immediate impact and in that same year achieved his Australian representative debut against New Zealand.
Ron would continue to compete with John Raper for the national lock position and achieved 12 caps for Australia.
He revelled in playing with the Thornett brothers, Brian Hambly, Barry Rushworth and Billy Rayner at club level and his leadership qualities were rewarded taking the club to an era of finals appearances.
Ron was appointed captain of Parramatta first grade under coach Ken Kearney in 1962 taking the Eels to the semi-finals, and preliminary finals in 1963 and 1964.
In 1963, Ron was a member of the Parramatta team who played a historic game against South Africa at Cumberland Oval, winning 39 to 18.
In that same year, Lynch would score one of the luckiest tries recorded to put the club in their first preliminary final. He would later say it was a ‘million to one chance’.
He was appointed Coach/Captain of the Eels in 1970 for one season and would retain the captaincy in 1971 under Ian Walsh.
Ron Lynch was made a Life Member in 1970 and inducted to the Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame in 2003. He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Ron passed away on Sunday, 12 May 2024.
On behalf of everyone at the Club we pass on our deepest condolences to Ron’s friends and family at this difficult time.
