Flynn ‘prepared to do everything to bring victory county is yearning’
Forty five years have elapsed since the Munster side strode out on Croke Park on decider day — ending in a loss to the Cats. That date may be etched on the minds of players and fans alike but the Ballygunner man insists that the pressure to return the county to hurling’s top table is not upsetting the squad.
“The team will have no hang ups about that 45-year gap, and the players firmly believe that now is their time.
“Losing those five semi-finals since 1998 doesn’t have any meaning for them either.”
Flynn, a rarity in this squad with an All-Ireland U21 medal won 16 years ago, believes that the squad are feeding off the hype which had gripped the county since the win over Tipperary.
He explained: “The friendship amongst all of the players is brilliant and it also is between us and the management.
“The hype too is huge but given all the circumstances that was only to be expected. It is great that so many people, young people especially, can watch us training for a final. I certainly hope it won’t be another 45 years before they have that opportunity again.”
Earlier this year it looked unlikely if Flynn would play a role in this fairytale season. But thanks to expert medical treatment and punishing rehab programme, the veteran has bounced back from a career-threatening leg injury and has continued to inspire, not as a starter but as an impact sub.
He believes this is one of the best, if indeed not the best-ever, Kilkenny team but adds the caveat that: “If we perform to our full potential then we have a realistic chance.”
The ending of that All-Ireland famine that stretches back to 1959, is paramount for Flynn and every other member of the Waterford panel.
“I am prepared to do everything and anything that I can, to bring the victory a whole county is yearning.”
Meanwhile, RTÉ Radio One will bring live commentary of this weekend’s GAA All-Ireland decider to GAA fans worldwide using various broadcast technologies including its recently-launched Freesat service in Britain, shortwave in Africa, DRM in Europe, satellite and cable.
In Britain, RTÉ Radio 1 will broadcast live commentary of the finals on LW 252, online at RTÉ.ie, via satellite (Europe, Hotbird and Eurobird), cable television and, available from Friday, September 5, on Freesat. Throughout the rest of Europe GAA fans can hear RTÉ Radio 1’s live commentary via RTÉ.ie, LW 252, satellite and DRM trials. DRM frequencies are available from rte.ie/radio/worldwide.
In Africa, and as far as Southern Asia, depending on weather conditions, RTÉ Radio 1 will broadcast live commentary from 3pm to 5pm Irish time on both September 7 and 21 on shortwave. Shortwave frequencies are available from rte.ie/radio/worldwide or for those living in Ireland, who wish to get details of the shortwave frequencies to friends or family living abroad, RTÉ is providing a special phone text service. Listeners text the word shortwave to 51101 and they will receive a text with the frequencies. GAA fans further a field in countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia can hear RTÉ Radio 1’s live commentary via RTÉ.ie and satellite.
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