CLARE ALL-IRELAND winning hurler Paul Flanagan has retired from the inter-county game.
The Ballyea player was part of Clare’s triumphant squad in July in Croke Park, adding to the success he enjoyed in 2013.
The defender captained Clare in the 2010 All-Ireland minor final, started in defence in the 2012 All-Ireland U21 victory, and captained the county a year later in 2013 when they retained that U21 crown.
Clare and Ballyea defender Paul Flanagan has today announced his retirement from inter county hurling . Congratulations to Paul on his legacy and an exemplary career with Clare and thanks to him for all the countless memories and tenacious performances he gave us in Saffron and… pic.twitter.com/aBUdnAEg8j
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) September 27, 2024
Injuries impacted on his senior progress from there but he enjoyed a career renaissance after making his first senior championship start for Clare in November 2020 under Brian Lohan’s management, and he was an All-Star nominee for his displays in the 2022 season.
“It has been the honour of my life,” stated Flanagan.
“Thank you for the opportunity and support along the way.”
Clare GAA paid tribute to Flanagan.
“We wish Paul all the best in his retirement. He has been a fantastic player, leader, ambassador and teammate throughout his eleven year senior career in saffron and blue. Anyone who has shared a dressing room with Paul will attest that he has embodied all a Clare supporter could wish for in a hurler.
“We thank him sincerely for his dedication and commitment in addition to the wonderful displays of hurling he has delivered.
“All in Clare GAA congratulate Paul as one of our most decorated players in terms of silverware and wish him continued success with his club Ballyea and in all aspects of his future.”
Pity it’s nearly over. It was brilliant.
These games were fantastic. Helped me forget about the doom and gloom for a bit over the last two weeks. Loved the swimming,the track events& cycling Bolt and Co were amazing. And of course our own team did a great job. Hopefully it will inspire kids out there and bring pride back to this country.
I really enjoyed the games! Thought after the amazing opening ceremony everything that followed would be a let down but by god I was wrong! Absolutely loved watching the sports, some of which I had never seen before! London did good, it has to be said! And well done and congrats to all who flew the flag for Ireland! Ye all did us proud!(“,)
Great two weeks of entertainment and a chance to forget the doom and gloom. Just shows what a bit of success can do for our national sense of well being. We really needed the lift. Hope it’s not spoilt by petty wrangling over money and unnecessary interference by politicians. Best moments were of course Katie Taylor and the boxers and other great performances by Annalise Murphy, Cian O Connor, Rob Heffernan and Gavin Noble. A sport I had never seen before was the dressage and I found it fascinating. Horses can dance! Amazing!
Sweden playing France in the Handball not the Volleyball !
Two sports we do not Care about either way! Volleyball is only good if played on a beach by cute women ;)
What about the boxing officials sent hope and Russia saying boxing is fixed ???
And let’s not forget the thousands of Irish fans that made it over to London for the games, who otherwise might not have been able to go if it was halfway across the world, it probably is the closest we will ever have to a HOME GAMES so that has been fantastic, London should be proud of the games they have put on.