Shannon mourns passing of club stalwart O’Flynn

SHANNON rugby club lost one of its best-loved members yesterday with the passing of former club president Frankie O’Flynn.

Mr O’Flynn died at 5am yesterday in Milford Hospice in Limerick, following a short illness. He was 77. Famed in Irish rugby club circles for his passionate and heartfelt renditions of There Is An Isle, Mr O’Flynn helped Shannon achieve senior club status in 1953.

He also captained the side to the Munster Junior Cup that year, and was part of Shannon’s first-ever Munster Senior Cup-winning side in 1960.

He also served as club president from 1976-78, and watched his grandsons Richie and Leonard Mullane collect senior cup medals with victory over Highfield in Cork last season.

Club spokesman Andrew McNamara said Mr O’Flynn “lived, breathed and swore by Shannon”.

“We are mourning the passing of a legend, who epitomised the ethos and traits that make our club what it is.

“He will always be remembered for his rendition of the Isle. None will ever match the emotion and pure passion that Frankie projected.

“He would sit opposite the president’s bar after games, with a word for everyone. He’d tug on your forearm, pull you closer as if he were about to reveal the secrets of Fatima and say: ‘I love them boys, there’s no one will beat ‘em.’ It’s hard to believe we will never hear Frankie again.”

Mr O’Flynn is reposing at Griffin’s Funeral Home, and he will be removed to St Mary’s Church tomorrow at 7pm. His funeral take place following 11am mass on Monday to Mount St Lawrence (Extension) Cemetery.