For 50 years, the Mullingar GAA legend contributed the 'Gaelic Gleanings' column to the Westmeath Examiner newspaper which was a huge hit with GAA followers in the Lake County. Writing under the pseudonym 'Aindrias O', Paddy provided immense coverage of Gaelic Games and was renowned for his fairness and objectivity in his match previews and analysis. Paddy's decision to call it a day as 'Aindrias O' coincided with his retirement as Leinster Council treasurer. Not surprisingly, his retirement was marked with a special presentation by the provincial body. Few, if any, have given as much to Westmeath or Leinster GAA down the years as Flanagan. He first came to prominence as an outstanding player with St. Loman's, Mullingar and went on to represent his county with distinction at minor, junior and senior level. His brilliant performances in the maroon jersey earned him inclusion at full back on the Westmeath Team of the Millennium a few years ago. In 1954, Paddy took his first steps into GAA administration when he was elected assistant secretary of the Westmeath county board. His first two tasks were to arrange a church gate collection for flood victims in Athlone and to carry on writing the 'Aindrias O' column which had been started by the late Billy Martin. According to Paddy, the column became a "labour of love" as he was writing about something he was "deeply interested in". Paddy, who later served terms as county board secretary and PRO, accumulated so much GAA memorabilia over the years that the need arose for him to build an extension to his home at Millmount, Mullingar to cater for his superb collection of match programmes, publications, photographs and videos. Needless to say, his knowledge of GAA affairs dating back over half a century is second to none. Paddy regards Mick Carley as the greatest footballer Westmeath has ever produced. John 'Jobber' McGrath was Westmeath's greatest hurler in his opinion. Among his best memories are of Westmeath's All-Ireland minor and under 21 football successes in 1995 and '99, and the county's appearances in the All-Ireland minor football and junior hurling finals in 1963. We wish him well in his retirement. Tweet

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