'We got thrown under the bus last year' - Kiladangan's Alan Flynn

MOTIVATION: Victorious Kiladangan captain Alan Flynn admits he and others were motivated to win Tipperary having been “thrown under the bus” by Tipperary management this year. 

Victorious Kiladangan captain Alan Flynn admits he and others were motivated to win Tipperary having been “thrown under the bus” by Tipperary management this year.

Along with his brother Paul and Willie Connors, Flynn was not included in the training panel last November, while James Quigley was cut following the Allianz Hurling League and Barry Hogan lost his spot in goal to Rhys Shelly after the first Munster SHC game.

Having reached three of the previous four Tipp SHC finals, a representation of two among 40 was a small number. Speaking before the drawn game against Thurles Sarsfields, 29-year-old Flynn admitted players were hurt by their rejections but Kiladangan was a great club to return to. However, he reveals those personal disappointments were what rallied them to the Dan Breen Cup.

“It was an absolute aim for us. We got thrown under the bus last year, not brought back in, and we were not happy about it at all. I think they disregarded us as a club. It was absolutely ridiculous. You’re telling me there’s no one out there good enough to be on the Tipperary team? It’s absolutely madness.

“Finally, we get a chance to speak about it because I was asked about this before the county final, I wasn’t going to talk about it. To be honest, that was a massive thing that we wanted to show them that we’re well good enough to be on that Tipp panel.” For coach and selector Darragh Egan, the victory was also ever so sweet after Wexford discontinued his time as manager in July after they beat Kilkenny but failed to finish in the top three in Leinster SHC having lost to Westmeath.

“Look, Darragh has given so much to Kiladangan hurling club and given so much to me and my age group and years below me,” gushes Flynn. “The amount of training he does for us and the amount he does for our club, for anyone to throw him under the bus doesn’t understand hurling and doesn’t understand Kiladangan hurling club.

“He dies for that club and I couldn’t be happier especially for him. He’s an unbelievable club man. I’m delighted to get over the line for him.” 

How Flynn’s comments will be received will be interesting but when the 2019 All-Ireland SHC winning panelist considers Sunday’s achievement to be the height of it for him he mightn’t care. “This is the pinnacle of your hurling career. Anyone who tells you (it’s) you win All-Irelands with county and that’s unbelievable, this is the pinnacle.

“I’ve two now. If I was told I’d have two in my career, I’d say, ‘Finest, I’ll hang up them boots.’ I’ve two of the biggest medals you can get. No matter what county you’re in, if you can win your county senior final, it’s the biggest medal you can get in hurling. I’m just happy to have two of them in my back pocket now.” 

The cancellation of the provincial and All-Ireland club championships in 2020 because of the pandemic denied Flynn and Kiladangan the opportunity to represent Tipperary in Munster. They will finally be given that opportunity in a semi-final against Clonlara next month.

“I watched Clonlara a few weeks ago, their six forwards are unbelievable. I don’t think there’s a better six forwards out there. We’ll enjoy the week and get back to things again.

“It’s new territory for us but again, that’ll be performance-driven. We’ve seen a lot of Tipp teams come out after county finals and it’s important to represent your county correctly as well. When you get that opportunity, you don’t throw dirt on it. We will prepare for that as best we can, like Clonlara will, and that will be a heroic battle.”