Paul Flynn (hurler)

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Paul Flynn
irish = Pól Ó Floinn
fullname = Paul Flynn
placeofbirth = Ballygunner
countryofbirth = County Waterford
bday=17
bmonth=12
byear= 1974
dyear=
dday=
dmonth=
height =
nickname = Flynners
occupation = Publican
county = Waterford
province = Munster
club = Ballygunner
clposition = Forward
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Waterford
icposition = Left wing-forward
icyears = 1993-
icapps(points) = 45 (24-181)
icprovince = 3
icallireland = 0
nhl = 1
allstars = 1
clupdate =
icupdate = 13 August, 2007 Paul Flynn (born 17 December, 1974 in Ballygunner, County Waterford) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballygunner and has been a member of the Waterford senior inter-county team since 1993. Flynn is Waterford’s top championship scorer of all-time.

Playing career

Club

Flynn plays his club hurling with his local club Ballygunner and has enjoyed much success. He won his first senior county title with the club in 1993. It was Ballygunner’s fourth county title ever, their first in twenty-five years and the beginning of a golden age of success for the club. Flynn added a second county medal to his collection in 1995, the first of a famous three-in-a-row for the club. Four county victories in succession proved beyond Ballygunner, however, the club won a fourth title in five championship campaigns in 1999. It was Flynn’s fifth winners’ medal in the competition. The new century saw Ballygunner continue with their winning ways. Flynn collected his sixth county medal following victory in the final in 2001. This victory was later converted into a Munster club title following a victory over the great Blackrock club from Cork. Flynn added a seventh county medal to his collection in 2005.

Inter-county

Flynn first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Waterford minor team in the early 1990s. 1992 was a special year for Flynn and for Waterford. He won a Munster title in this grade that year following an exciting two-game saga with provincial kingpins Tipperary. Waterford later qualified for the All-Ireland final, however, Galway were far superior on the day and had an easy 1-13 to 2-4 victory. That same year saw Flynn play a key role with the Waterford under-21 team. He came on as a substitute to win a Munster medal in that grade before later lining out in the All-Ireland final. Offaly provided the opposition on that occasion, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay saw Waterford take the title by 0-12 to 2-3 and Flynn was awarded a coveted All-Ireland under-21 medal. Flynn added a second Munster under-21 title to his collection in 1994, however, there would be no further All-Ireland success.

Flynn’s performances at underage levels brought him to the attention of the senior selectors and he made his senior debut in the 1993 championship. It was a less than auspicious start to Flynn’s hurling career as Waterford were defeated by the minnows of Kerry in the opening round of the Munster championship. The next few seasons saw Waterford being knocked out of the championship in the early stages, however, the arrival of Gerald McCarthy as manager made a difference to team morale. Flynn lined out in his first Munster final in 1998, however, the game against Clare ended in a draw. The replay was one of the most ill-tempered Munster deciders in recent years. Clare made no mistake at the second time of asking and trounced Waterford by twelve points. The ‘back-door system’ allowed Waterford to have another crack at the All-Ireland title. A defeat of Galway set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Kilkenny. After a tense game ‘the Cats’ were the winners and Waterford’s championship campaign came to an end.

The next few years proved difficult for Waterford with early exits from the championship. It was 2002 before Flynn lined out in his second Munster final. Tipperray, the reigning All-Ireland champions, were the opponents on that occasion and few people gave Flynn’s side a chance. At the final whistle it was a different story as Waterford were emphatic winners by 2-23 to 3-12. It was Waterford’s first Munster title since 1963 and it was Flynn’s first senior provincial medal. This victory set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Clare. While many people expected Waterford to advance easily to the All-Ireland final, Clare were the winners by three points and Waterford’s run came to an end again.

In 2003 Waterford set out to defend their Munster title and build on their success. Cork, however, had other ideas and defeated Flynn’s team in the provincial final. Waterford were later defeated by Wexford in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

2004 saw Waterford qualify for a third successive Munster final with Cork providing the opposition once again. Described as the game that had everything Waterford beat Cork by 3-16 to 1-21 to win one of the greatest games of hurling ever played. Flynn played a key role in securing his second Munster medal as his cheeky goal from a close-in free gave Waterford a lift after the dismissal of John Mullane. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Waterford take on a wounded Kilkenny. In spite of this ‘the Cats’ were the winners by 3-12 to 0-18.

2005 proved to be a difficult season for ‘the Déise’ as they were eliminated from the Munster championship at an early stage and were defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final. 2006 also saw Flynn’s side make an early exit from Munster, however, the team later qualified for the All-Ireland semi-final. Old rivals Cork provided the opposition on that occasion. After an exciting game Waterford were denied a draw at the death when Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack pulled down an almost certain point at the final whistle. Cork won the game by 1-16 to 1-15.

In 2007 Waterford threw down a mark of intent when they captured the National Hurling League title. It was Waterford’s first league title since 1963, with Flynn chipping in with a point to seal the victory. Later in the championship Flynn’s side finally got the better of Cork. After another thrilling game between these great two rivals Waterford were the winners by 5-15 to 3-18. This victory allowed Flynn’s side to advance to the Munster final where they played Limerick. Waterford justified their favourites tag and won the game with relative ease courtesy of a hat trick of goals by Dan Shanahan. Waterford later saw off Cork again after an All-Ireland quarter-final replay to set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Limerick. Many expected the game to be a mere formality; however, Limerick savaged a tired Waterford team by 5-11 to 2-15. It was a major shock to Waterford and to the hurling public at large who expected Flynn’s side to canter home. There was speculation afterwards that some of the older members of the Waterford team, including Tony Browne and Flynn, would retire without ever lining out in an All-Ireland final.

In spite of all the retirement speculation Flynn returned to Waterford in 2008, however, there was controversy from the start. After an embarrassing defeat by Clare in the opening round of the Munster championship ‘player power’ succeeded in forcing manger Justin McCarthy to resign. Waterford went through the qualifier route with Flynn making some key cameo appearances along the way. After five All-Ireland semi-final defeats inside ten years Waterford finally broke their penultimate stage hoodoo after a two-point defeat of Tipperary. The All-Ireland final on 7 September will give Flynn the chance to line out on hurling’s biggest day and will see Waterford take on Kilkenny in an historic occasion.

Provincial

Flynn has also lined lout with Munster in the inter-cprovincial hurling competition. He first lined out for his province in 1994, however, it was 1995 before he collected his first Railway Cup medal following a narrow victory over Ulster. Flynn added further inter-provincial medals to his collection in 1996 and 2000.

Teams