Passing of Famous GAA Player Noel Flynn

On Wednesday last Noel Flynn passed away in the Mater Private Hospital at the early age of 62. Noel Flynn held a unique record in the annals of Leitrim football, he was the only Leitrim man ever to win nine Leitrim Senior Football Championship medals.

Noel began his football with Ballinamore Sean O?Heslins at a time when his native Aughawillan didn?t field in underage competitions. In the early 1960s Ballinamore had a great Minor team and Noel was part of it. He won two Minor Championships with Sean O?Heslins. Very shortly he was on the senior team during a golden era for O?Heslins. He was on the Senior Championship winning teams in the finals of 1964,1967,1968 and 1969 and was a sub on the teams of 1972, 1973 and 1975. He came on during the course of the latter two finals. Noel thus won seven senior championship medals with Ballinamore.

Aughawillan had no football club from 1964 until it was reorganized in 1971. Noel rejoined Aughawillan at the beginning of 1976 just in time for Aughawillan?s historic first ever senior championship. The highlight of Noel?s football career came in 1978 when he captained Aughawillan to their second success and in the process won a historic ninth senior championship medal, a record that it is unlikely will ever be equaled.

Noel played with many of the great Sean O?Heslin?s players such as Thomas Galligan, Paddy Dolan, Dermot Gannon, Se?n Creamer etc and he also played with many of the great Aughawillan players like Mickey Quinn, Frank Smith, Pat Flanagan and of course Patsy Prior who fielded with Noel through most of Ballinamore?s victories in the 60s and 70s as well.

After his playing days were over Noel was involved with the Aughawillan club at different levels and was Chairman of the club for a period. He also did refereeing for a time. In later years he was a regular member of Aughawillan Ballad Groups in Scór and was on a group that won a Scór County title in 1998.

Noel was involved in a variety of community activities and was a member of the Suaimhneas choir group. To his wife Gabrielle, sons Patrick, Richard and Edward and his sister Maighr?ad, we extend our sympathy. Go nd?ana Dia tr?caire ar cheann des na peilead?ir? ba mh? c?il riamh i gContae Liatroma.

 

 

26-Jan-07 by Sean O S.