Swords GAA star Flynn says goodbye to the hill

NORTHSIDE GAA star Paul Flynn will not be be part of Dublin’s  historic ‘drive for five’ consecutive All-Ireland final triumphs this summer.

The Swords native, who won six All-Ireland titles with ‘The Dubs’ in the county’s most successful period since the halycyon days of ‘Heffo’s Army’, announced last week that he is to end his association with Jim Gavin’s star-studded outfit.

Flynn won his first All-Ireland senior medal under Pat Gilroy when Dublin edged out Kerry in a nailbiting finish in 2011.

Further triumphs were to follow in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. In a statement he said: “After 12 proud years wearing the Dublin jersey I have made the difficult decision to step away from the Dublin football panel. 

“It’s an enormous privilege to play for your county and I feel incredibly lucky and proud that I got to play for Dublin for as long as I have. 

“Dublin football has played a huge part in my life and I will be forever grateful for all that it has given me. 

“I was honoured to train and play alongside exceptional teammates week in week out, to have enjoyed the support of extraordinary managers over the years and to have had the support of dedicated, world class backroom teams.”

The Fingallians man, who also won four All-Star awards from 2011 to 2014 in a decorated inter-county career, said he was grateful for the lifelong friendships he has made along his Dublin journey. 

“My football career started and ended with the support of my club, my family and my friends and to them I am eternally grateful,” he said. 

“Since my back surgery last year I’ve struggled to reach the fitness required for inter county and to reach the standards that I set for myself. 

“While my heart says play on, unfortunately my body says it’s time to call it a day.

“I’ve loved every minute of my journey with Dublin football and to have played in front of its dedicated and passionate supporters has allowed me to make memories that I will cherish forever.” 

Flynn added: “I move on now with gratitude to the next chapter of my life.” 

In 2018, Flynn was appointed chief executive of the Gaelic Players Assocation (GPA).