Séamus Flynn

Flynn first played Gaelic football with Clooneen in the local parish leagues at the age of 14. He also lined out as a schoolboy with Longford Vocational School, with whom he won a vocational schools' title. Flynn received a suspension for playing illegally in Roscommon in 1958. After serving his suspension he returned to playing with Clonguish and won a junior league-championship double in 1959.[1]

After emigrating to England shortly after these victories, Flynn continued to play Gaelic football after joining the Harps & Shamrocks club. He won a Lancashire SFC title in 1961. Flynn returned in 1962, rejoined the Clonguish club and won a Longford SFC title. It was the first of eight such title victories over the course of 12 seasons, with Flynn captaining the team in 1968 and 1972.[2]

Flynn first appeared on the inter-county scene with Longford during a two-year tenure with the minor team in 1956 and 1957. He was just out of the minor grade when he made his senior team debut in a game against Galway. Flynn's time in England saw him line out with the Lancashire county team, however, he rejoined the Longford team in 1962 and was an ever-present member during the team's most successful era.[3] After winning an O'Byrne Cup title in 1965, he was part of the team that beat Galway and New York to win the National League Division 1 title in 1966.[4] Two years later, Flynn added a Leinster SFC medal to his collection after Longford claimed their first ever title.[5][6]

Flynn was the only Longford player to captain Leinster in the Railway Cup. His club career continued following his retirement from the inter-county game in 1971. Flynn brought his club career to an end after winning a Longford JFC medal with Rathcline at the age of 45 in 1984.[7]

Flynn began his coaching career while he was still a player. He was player-manager when Clonguish won back-to-back Longford SFC titles in 1968 and 1969. Flynn also trained the Kilmore club in Roscommon. He also served as a selector and kitman with the Longford senior team.

Flynn also spent ten years as Longford's delegate to the Leinster Council. He also held a number of positions at county board and club levels, including treasurer of his adopted Rathcline club. Flynn was named in the right corner-back position on the Longford Team of the Millennium.[8]

Flynn died on 13 February 2024, at the age of 84.[9][10]