[citation needed] During his studies at NUI Galway, Lynskey was a regular on the college's senior hurling team that played in the Fitzgibbon Cup.
[citation needed] Lynskey joined the Liam Mellows club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels.
[citation needed] Eligible for the minor grade again the following year, Lynskey made his first appearance on 12 August 1995 in a 2-08 to 0-12 All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Cork.
[citation needed] Lynskey immediately made the step up to the Galway under-21 team in 1996, however, his season came to a premature end after breaking his leg.
[citation needed] On 29 August 1998, Lynskey made his first appearance for the Galway under-21 team in 4-18 to 3-07 defeat of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.