WHEN MOOREFIELD WON the Leinster title for the only time in their history in 2006, Daryl Flynn was 21 years old with a promising career in front of him.
11 years on, the Kildare champions are within one game of making it back to the provincial decider for just the second their history. This time around, Flynn is one of the veterans and one season out from his inter-county retirement.
When they beat Rhode by 3-6 to 0-8 in 2006, Flynn’s partner in midfield was Ross Glavin. On Sunday, Flynn will captain the side from centre-field, while Glavin will patrol the sideline.
“I was midfield with Ross that day, he’s the manager now,” Flynn says. “He’s a good head, even when playing with Ross he always had a good football brain, a great football mind. He’s the same on the side-line he’s calm, cool and collected.
“I know it’s a long-time ago now and we’re showing our age, but there’s a few of us (still playing) that were there then.
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Moorefield's Ronan Sweeney celebrates with fans and teammates after the final whistle in 2006 Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“There was a great feeling then, ‘Sos’ (Semaus Dowling) was the manager then and it was a magical moment in our career. It would be great to do it again but to do that we’ve to get over Sunday first. It’s going to be a tough battle down there.”
Flynn has picked up five county titles with Moorefield and he admits having a successful club to return to help soften the blow of retirement from Lilywhites duty. The club swept all before them in Kildare this season, winning both the league and championship.
“Coming back to a strong club was a fierce help. We’re very strong, we’re always competitive in Kildare and we’ve good numbers training throughout the year, we’ve 30 lads from January up until whenever we finish.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to step away, I just felt my time was done and I enjoyed every minute of it and made great friends. I was up here this year supporting the boys in Croke Park. It’s a different feeling coming up with the fans rather than getting the bus in with the boys.
Ronan Sweeney and Daryl Flynn celebrate a Kildare title in 2014 Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
“Then you’re up here watching the boys warm-up for the Leinster final against Dublin and you’re kind of saying, ‘Why didn’t I give it one more year?’ But at the end of the day the decision was mine at the time and I think I made the right decision. I’m enjoying being back with the club.”
They face giantkillers Rathnew in the last four clash at Aughrim, where the Wicklow champions famously dumped out St Vincent’s a couple of weeks ago.
“Vincent’s, I think they were favourites for the All-Ireland never mind Leinster, so their confidence will be sky-high. We’ll just have to go down there and expect the same fight they put up against Vincent’s.
“Everyone’s saying they’ll dog us but watching the game they didn’t fight Vincent’s, they just outplayed them, outscored them and beat them. It’s going to be a a huge battle down there and it’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s been great training this time of year.
“All the other clubs are probably going back doing the pre-season and we’re still training, we’re in the Leinster championship. There’s a great buzz around the club and obviously it’s the same in Rathnew, Loman’s and Simonstown so it’s good.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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'Watching the boys warm-up for the Leinster final against Dublin you're saying, 'Why didn't I give it one more year?'
WHEN MOOREFIELD WON the Leinster title for the only time in their history in 2006, Daryl Flynn was 21 years old with a promising career in front of him.
11 years on, the Kildare champions are within one game of making it back to the provincial decider for just the second their history. This time around, Flynn is one of the veterans and one season out from his inter-county retirement.
When they beat Rhode by 3-6 to 0-8 in 2006, Flynn’s partner in midfield was Ross Glavin. On Sunday, Flynn will captain the side from centre-field, while Glavin will patrol the sideline.
“I was midfield with Ross that day, he’s the manager now,” Flynn says. “He’s a good head, even when playing with Ross he always had a good football brain, a great football mind. He’s the same on the side-line he’s calm, cool and collected.
“I know it’s a long-time ago now and we’re showing our age, but there’s a few of us (still playing) that were there then.
“There was a great feeling then, ‘Sos’ (Semaus Dowling) was the manager then and it was a magical moment in our career. It would be great to do it again but to do that we’ve to get over Sunday first. It’s going to be a tough battle down there.”
Flynn has picked up five county titles with Moorefield and he admits having a successful club to return to help soften the blow of retirement from Lilywhites duty. The club swept all before them in Kildare this season, winning both the league and championship.
“Coming back to a strong club was a fierce help. We’re very strong, we’re always competitive in Kildare and we’ve good numbers training throughout the year, we’ve 30 lads from January up until whenever we finish.
“It wasn’t a hard decision to step away, I just felt my time was done and I enjoyed every minute of it and made great friends. I was up here this year supporting the boys in Croke Park. It’s a different feeling coming up with the fans rather than getting the bus in with the boys.
“Then you’re up here watching the boys warm-up for the Leinster final against Dublin and you’re kind of saying, ‘Why didn’t I give it one more year?’ But at the end of the day the decision was mine at the time and I think I made the right decision. I’m enjoying being back with the club.”
They face giantkillers Rathnew in the last four clash at Aughrim, where the Wicklow champions famously dumped out St Vincent’s a couple of weeks ago.
“Vincent’s, I think they were favourites for the All-Ireland never mind Leinster, so their confidence will be sky-high. We’ll just have to go down there and expect the same fight they put up against Vincent’s.
“Everyone’s saying they’ll dog us but watching the game they didn’t fight Vincent’s, they just outplayed them, outscored them and beat them. It’s going to be a a huge battle down there and it’s one we’re looking forward to. It’s been great training this time of year.
“All the other clubs are probably going back doing the pre-season and we’re still training, we’re in the Leinster championship. There’s a great buzz around the club and obviously it’s the same in Rathnew, Loman’s and Simonstown so it’s good.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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daryl Flynn GAA Kildare Lilywhites Moorefield