The last day of winter brought us the news that we wished not to hear and found hard to accept - the death, after a battle so determinedly fought of DJ O'Flynn, but known by one and all as the Bomber. The vast continent of North America, the wild Atlantic Ocean or the choppy Irish Sea did not prevent his nearest and dearest friends from being beside him, as he made his last desperate fight for life, but even the indestructible Bomber was forced to yield to a much greater power. They were obviously short to make up a score or they needed a swashbuckling forward in the great beyond. None of us can renege when the tap on the shoulder comes round. DJ will forever be associated with the championship winning minor hurling team of 1984, Abbeymahon - a team he captained from the centre of the field to victory over neighbours, friends and great rivals, Barryroe. After a pulsating hour's hurling DJ had the honour of being the first Timoleague man to bring the M.P. O'Sullivan West Cork minor 'A' hurling trophy back to the village. After years of frustration and fruitless endeavour, a team carrying the hopes and aspirations of a club and a community was led to the promised land by the Bomber. His non-stop action and his enthusiasm for the competitive endeared him to all Timoleague supporters. Opponents felt more than a trifle uneasy at the prospect of facing an hour's honest endeavour with the Bomber. Stories about the Bomber are legion. In Ballinspittle in 1984 when Abbeymahon played Valley Rovers in the first round of the county, the Bomber incurred the wrath of the referee after just one minute of play, such was the over-zealous attention lavished on his direct opponent. Both took no further part in the action that afternoon - DJ because of the referee and his opponent because of DJ. Surely unlikely to be equalled and certainly never bettered.In 1987, Argideen played Goleen at Skibbereen in the West Cork junior 'B' football final. We were well on our way to victory when DJ got possession of the ball some forty yards from goal. He embarked on a mazy solo run (his way of showing that he was equally adept with the big ball). He brushed aside a number of would-be defenders and with the goal at his mercy he kicked a rasper over the bar. The Bomber was never one to take the easy option! On the back of his great exploits of 1984, DJ was drafted on to the junior hurling team the following season. With the influx of young blood, the older and more experienced players provided the proper blend and the much sought after West Cork Junior 'B' championship was won at Clonakilty at the expense of Randal Og. At the GAA annual dinner on New Year's eve, 1984/85, DJ was presented with five medals by Canon Michael O'Brien, one of only three players so honoured. He will be remembered by many - he of the quick, short steps, who played hard and enjoyed life, who called it as he saw it. His action on the playing field where his hurley was in perpetual motion was a sight to behold. The more skillful forward can truthfully acknowledge that they owe DJ Carey a sincere debt to gratitude for the amount of ball that he put their way to record the scores that won many a game for Abbeymahon and Argideen. He was a most hardworking and loyal employee of Staunton's, a firm he joined on leaving school. Dressed in his white overalls, the banter, ball-hopping and craic made for much enjoyment among the workforce. The sight of DJ the skilled boner, as he wielded his knife at speed to the rhythm of music that filled the air is locked in the memory of those who witnessed it. However, the greatest memories will be cherished by his parents, Paddy and Eily, who were so proud of DJ., by his sister Kathleen, who captured so well the Bomber that we all knew, when she spoke so eloquently at the conclusion of his funeral Mass to a thronged congregation, by his loving girlfriend Colette who shared many happy moments with DJ and, as chief celebrant Fr McCarthy, P.P., so rightly stated, made DJ's last years so rich and fulfiling. In Timoleague, as long as a sliotar is pucked, a football kicked, a bowl thrown or a pig killed, the name of DJ O'Flynn will be fondly remembered with suitable anecdote. You are gone Bomber, but not forgotten. Adios amigo. Tweet

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