Paul Flynn (Gaelic footballer)

Paul Flynn (born 8 July 1986) is a Gaelic football player for Dublin and Fingallians. He is from Swords, County Dublin. He has received four All Star Awards in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and represented Ireland in the Compromise Rules games in Croke Park and Cavan in 2013. He rooms with fellow DCU team-mates, Michael Murphy and Aidan Walsh.^[1] Paul Flynn was the first player to ever receive four all stars in a row in the qualifier era of second chances.^[2]

Playing career

Flynn made his Dublin debut when appearing as a second-half substitute in Dublin's first-round O'Byrne Cup victory over Wicklow on 5 January 2008 in Parnell Park. Flynn made his National Football League debut for Dublin against Westmeath and scored a goal in the process, helping guide his team to a first-round victory.

He made his Championship debut against Westmeath on Sunday 29th. On 18 September 2011, Flynn helped Dublin claim their first All-Ireland title in sixteen years, as they beat Kerry at Croke Park. He was awarded his first All Star Award for his performances for Dublin in the half forwards in 2011. Under Pat Gilroy's management term Paul Flynn became a regular in the Dublin half-forward line and was selected as Dublin's lone All Star in 2012. In 2013, he complained about a lack of intensity of the Dubs and he brought amazing fitness levels and intensity to the team. On 22 September 2013, Dublin won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with a big help from Paul Flynn in the half-forward line wearing number 10. He played twice for Ireland against Australia in the 2013 International Rules Series.^[3][4] In 2016 Flynn helped his club Fingallians to win the Dublin Intermediate Club Championship. That same year they went on to reach the semi-final of the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship which included a victory over St Josephs of Louth in the process before loosing to Rosemount of Westmeath in that semi-final.^[5]

All Stars

Paul received his first ever all star in 2011 after winning the All Ireland football title with Dublin alongside teammates Alan Brogan (footballer of the year), Bernard Brogan, Kevin Nolan, Stephen Cluxton and Michael Darragh Macauley.

In 2012 after reaching the All Ireland Semi-Final and losing to Mayo,Paul was selected as Dublin's lone All Star alongside roommate and friend Michael Murphy.

After clinching his second All Ireland senior football title in September 2013, Paul was again selected as an all star. This became Paul's third All Star in a row.

Again, Dublin made it to the All Ireland Semi-Final, but this time losing to Donegal. Paul was selected as an all star for the fourth year in a row. But due to his sister's wedding he did not show at the All Star banquet. He later accepted the award from club member and Dublin Legend Ciaran Duff at a celebration in Fingallians GAA Club with many club members, family and friends present. This was the first time anyone has won four in a row since Jack O'Shea (six in a row from 1980–86) and Kerry team-mate Páidí Ó Sé (five in a row from 1981-1985) 30 years ago. Paul is also the first to win four all stars in a row in the qualifier era of second chances. Flynn's achievement, both in terms of overall awards won and in earning the distinction of becoming the first to win four in a row in almost 30 years, ranks high up in the overall All Stars hall of fame.

References