'One of life's good guys' - tributes paid to Nenagh native
The Funeral Mass took place in Co Cork last Friday week of Nenagh native Declan Flynn, who died following a tragic accident.
Known in his new home of Shandangan, Carrigadrohid, Macroom as a “great community-minded man”, the hard-working and much-liked Knockalton native was last week remembered by his former team mates at Nenagh AFC as “one of life's good guys”.
Married to local woman Patricia Burns, Declan (48) had been living at Carrigadrohid for the last 16 years. Having previously worked as an electrician with Paschal O'Connell in Nenagh, he had for the last five years been working for Cork steel fabrication firm Irish Pioneer Works.
Followng the accident, the father of three spent a number of weeks at Cork University Hospital, during which Canovee NS, where his children went to school, asked members of the community to light a candle and say a prayer for Declan every night at 9pm. Sadly, he died last Tuesday week, May 5th.
Reacting to the news on Facebook, Nenagh AFC expressed sadness at the death of “a fantastic footballer and one of life's good guys”. Declan played with the Nenagh club throughout the 1990s and won several honours, including the Premier League title in 1993/'94 and '94/'95, Premier Shield in '95/'96, and both the Tipperary Cup and Premier Cup in '96/'97. He also won a league and cup double with the club's B team in the 1998/'99 season.
Described as a very committed player, who never missed training and was rarely injured, Declan played mostly at right full-back for the A team and in midfield for the B team.
“He had a great engine, was very strong in the air and never lost a challenge,” Nenagh AFC stated in tribute to Declan. “He was a true leader and always helped his team mates. He was one of the most popular players in every dressing room and had a wonderful personality.
“Declan's passing has left the Nenagh AFC community numb. The outcry of grief from all of his ex-team mates has been huge and they intend to mark his passing when this pandemic passes.”
Canovee GAA Club joined in the tributes on Facebook, describing the Nenagh man as “one of life's true gentlemen”.
“Declan could be seen on the sideline over the years proudly supporting his son, Colin,” the club's online post stated.
“Declan gave up some of his free time to volunteer with the club by cutting and maintaining the grounds. He was a pure gentleman and a friend of many club members and supporters.”
Carrigadrohid Killinardrish Tidy Towns also expressed great sadness at Declan's passing and left a message of condolence on Facebook. “Declan was a great community-minded man, who was readily available to help out the Tidy Towns when needed.”
Fr Ned Hassett, a first cousin of the deceased, was chief celebrant at the Funeral Mass at St John the Baptist Church, Canovee, along with Canon Bernard Donovan, PP.
“The Flynns, were always a warm, hearty and human family,” Fr Hassett said in his homily.
“Declan, as the youngest, completely imbibed and embodied that.”
Fr Hassett reflected on how his cousin was “always smiling and radiated warmth, humour and a positive attitude. He was a great family man, putting his wife and children first.
“Growing up, he spent a lot of his school holidays in our house where he just mucked in with everything, and was as well known in Clonea, East Waterford, where his parents were from, as in Nenagh.”
Declan was predeceased by his parents Sean and Alice Flynn, brothers Mick, Pat and Tom, and his father-in-law, Pat Burns.
His passing is deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Patricia, children Ian, Colin and Laoise; brothers John, Jim, Murt and Frank; sisters Ann, Helen, Mary and Eilish; mother-in-law Margaret Burns, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and the community in Shandangan, Canovee and Nenagh, along with his work colleagues at Irish Pioneer Works and Declan's large circle of friends in both Cork and Tipperary.
Interment took place at St Colman's cemetery, Macroom. May he rest in peace.