The late Jimmy Flynn The GAA community in Longford gathered at St Mattew's Church, Ballymahon to celebrated the life of one of the associations most loyal servants. In his 86 years, Jimmy Flynn had served in various positions in both clubs and on the County Board and was president of the association in the county at the time of his death. "Jimmy Flynn served the Gaelic Athletic Association with distinction and dignity" County Board Chairman Martin Skelly said. "He guided Longford through our most successful period, during the late sixties. He was an outstanding chair of both the County Board and the Minor Board and then became president. He was a great ambassador for Longford." He passed away on December 31st, 2006 and was buried in Shrule Cemetery with Director General of the GAA and his successor as County Board chairman Liam Mulvihill giving a graveside oration. Born in January 27, 1920, Jimmy Flynn received his secondary education at Blackrock College in Dublin, where he played rugby. He returned to his native Ballymahon, where the local GAA club was reformed in 1944. He served as club secretary for 11 years and was chairman on two occasions. During the forties and fifties he was a key man in the local association. In the role of chairman until 1970, he presided over the most successful period for football in the county, a time that was also not without controversy. In those years, the county won a National Football League titles (1966) an a Leinster Championship (1968). Jimmy Flynn was succeeded by Liam Mulvihill and the following year he was elected president of Longford GAA. He continued to be an avid supporter of Gaelic games in the county and was present on all major occasions, including the 30th anniversary reunion of the 1966 League winning team on the eve of the first round Leinster clash with Dublin in 2006. While his loyalty to the GAA knew no bounds, Jimmy Flynn lived a well-rounded life and mourners in Ballymahon were told of his involvement in a host of organisations and past-times. After retiring from the County Board, he was very active in Moate Golf Club and was the Club Captain in the seventies. He was always active in his native Ballymahon, where he ran the well-known bakery. He was an accomplished accordion player and it was during his involvement with a band that he met his wife Dorrie, a native of Boher, Co Westmeath. He was also president of the local drama society and played bridge. He and Dorrie reared nine children, with Liam , Catherine, Una, Paddy and Sinead remaining in Longford, Mary and Michelle both in Dublin, Brendan in Birmingham and Helen in America. He is survived by his wife, children, sister Kitty, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Courtesy of the Longford Leader 05 January 2007 Tweet

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