For the best part of 20 years, Vincent Flanagan has worked and lived in Dublin, but the Aughnamullen native has never forgotten his roots and was keen to talk to the Monaghan Yearbook about his local club. Many people that have moved away from home due to work or other reasons lose touch with their clubs and although Vincent is not directly involved with Aughnamullen anymore, the club will always have a special place in his heart. Having played alongside his four brothers for the club and then serving as club secretary, Vincent has many fond memories of his footballing days, which he was happy to share with us. Following a number of clubs efforts to be established in the area none provided the longevity that Aughnamullen Sarsfields has, since been established in 1954. The parish team had success before the club became commonly known as Aughnamullen Sarsfields with two junior championships being won in 1946 and '52. A further three titles have been added in this grade with the latest being the 2007 junior championship, they then narrowly lost the Ulster final to Tyrone's champion Rock. Aughnamullen have also plied their trade in the senior ranks having won the intermediate championship on three separate occasions during the seventies, which was arguably the best period of the club's history. Vincent looks back on these years when Aughnamullen won the intermidate double, intermediate championship, lost the ward cup final(unluckily to Ballybay),drawing with Blayney in the senior championship, and loosing to Scotstown in the senior championship semi-final but he picks out the intermediate championship win of 72 as his most memorable occasion when the sarsfields beat a well fancied Truagh team to be the first team to lift the Father McCormack cup (who was a former mentor and parish priest of Aughnamullen for many years) Vincent can still remember Pat Duffy scoring the winning goal, affectionately known as "wee pat", probably Aughnallumens greatest ever forward and whom to Vincent epitomized what the GAA is all about. Vincent was a part of all of these times and he admits that he was brought up steeped in football, when it was club first, county second and all supported which ever ulster county got to Croke Park. Vincent states it was great to see Ulster counties dominating croke park for so many years in particular Armagh winning their first all Ireland in 02 and all Tryone's great victories over kerry and nothing will give him more pleasure that on the last Sunday of September 09 to see the farney men lifting "sam". Vincent believes that Croke Park is the greatest stadium in Europe and a great credit to the GAA and a wonderful place to spend a Sunday afternoon. He remembers bringing his mother there for the first time since she left Dublin in the late 30's, when she went to Croke Park regularly no matter who was playing. He remembers her astonishment and pride on seeing the new Croke Park and her fervent support on the day the Monaghan ladies lost unluckily in the final. Vincent admires and gives his total support for ladies football and hopes to see the sport going from strength to strength. "Football was and I suppose is still part and parcel of my life". The club at home has given me many great times and I've made a number of lifelong friendships through it. "I served as secretary many years ago, during which time the new pitch opened with the handball ally and squash courts, while in the intervening years there has been a Prunty pitch installed, while the clubhouse has also been redeveloped as well as a second set of dressing rooms being built. "There has always been a great community spirit about the club and many people have worked hard down through the years to make sure that the facilities are there for the next generation coming through." The Flanagan name has been synonymous with Aughnamullen for many years and indeed former county fullback Colm is a nephew of Vincent's. Colm was part of the Kilmacud Crokes side that won a Leinster club title two years ago and was a big part of Seamus McEnaney's plans, but work commitments meant that he couldn't give the time and dedication needed. "Colm is back playing with Aughnamullen now. However, he is only around 30, so who knows, it would be great for the family to see him back wearing the county jersey." Vincent has also followed the fortunes of the county very closely and he was been delighted with the progress that they have made in the last few years. "Monaghan have made great strides over the last few years. Seamus McEnaney has really made a difference since he came on board and there has been a great effort put in to bring the county to the next level. They have some excellent players in the side at the moment and their displays over the last two years have really captured the imagination of all the supporters. Some of their performances have been quite exceptional. Monaghan have been out of the limelight way too long and it's about time that they were competing with the best again." "They were a little inexperienced against Kerry this year and last year, but with a bit of luck on the day and better refereeing they could of won both games and I have high hopes for them for 2009, it would be great to win an Ulster title. The bigger the stage, the better they seem to play. "However, I'd like to see more players been brought in to strengthen the squad as we don't seem to have the strength in depth that some of the other counties have." Despite being away from Aughnamullen for some time, Vincent is still involved in football as he is a member of St Sylvester's GAA club in Malahide which ironically the senior team is managed by Gabriel Bannigan who is from another great Aughnamullen family, but our home club will always come first. Vincent's move to Dublin coincided with the establishment of his business, VF Cold Stores Ltd, which is a cold storage company based in Finglas and specialising in the storage and distribution of frozen goods. Employing in the region of 30 people and with a national and international distribution network, VF Cold Stores Ltd has a large customer base spanning all across Ireland and England. They work 24hrs a day, seven days a week, all customers can be guaranteed to get their products delivered efficiently and on time. "We are always very busy around the Christmas period. We will close down on Christmas Eve, but will re-open again on St Stephen's Day. Vincent is very encouraged with the underage Aughnamullen teams and wants to wish the club and the new club chairman PJ Forde (his former childhood friend and colleague) every success. He also hopes to see the club and county bring home silverware in '09. Tweet

Most Read Stories