The Late Joe Flynn A part of the Abbeyside club itself died last week with the unexpected and untimely death of Joe Flynn. Joe was a member of a family that rendered extraordinary service to Abbeyside/Ballinacourty over many years. One of six brothers to don the blue and gold jersey, his late mother, Biddy, had also been club president for several years prior to her death. Joe first came to prominence in the Abbeyside jersey in 1965 when he won divisional and county intermediate championship honours. A year later he played a starring role in Abbeyside's first ever Under 21 county title success and his breakthrough into the senior team had inevitability written all over it. In 1969 he was on the side that reached the county senior hurling final only to lose to Mount Sion, turning in another five star display in the process. Joe's immense playing talents were matched only by his exemplary sportsmanship. I can never remember him incurring the wrath of a referee for an unfair or foul tackle, and while he gave as good as he got in the physical stakes he never, ever stepped beyond the bounds of fair play. In a sentence he was a gentleman both on and off the field. The suddenness of his passing last week had shocked and saddened his legion of friends. But of course the greatest loss must be borne by his wife Mary, his sons Colm, Richard and Brendan, and members of his extended family. To All of them the heartfelt sympathy of the column and columnist is extended. As the sun shone brightly across Dungarvan Bay, Joe was laid to rest in Abbeyside cemetery following Requiem Mass. The concourse was vast and representative with a very significant GAA presence. Fittingly too the coffin was draped in the blue and gold and the green and white of Abbeyside and Ballinacoutty respectively. It was the kind of farewell Joe would have appreciated. One he also very richly deserved. Go ndeine Dia trocaire ar a anam dilis. Courtesy of the News & Star September 20th 2003 Tweet

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