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Dublin forward Paul Flynn. INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Perfect 10

Paul Flynn learning to listen to his body but 'big performances' are still ahead

The four-time Allstar turns 30 this year but doesn’t believe he’s entering the latter stages of his career.

IN PREVIOUS YEARS, Paul Flynn would probably have used a game-free weekend like the one that just passed as an opportunity to squeeze in an extra training session or two.

However, with Flynn due to enter his 30s just over a week before Dublin are expected to challenge for their 55th Leinster SFC title this July, the dependable half-forward has learned that a ‘less is more’ approach makes sense for the longevity of his playing career.

Having missed Dublin’s opening Allianz Football League games against Kerry and Mayo — as well as four O’Byrne Cup fixtures — due to a groin injury, Flynn returned to start against Monaghan, Cork and Down as the Dubs made it five wins on the trot.

Surgery on a similar injury kept Flynn out of action at the same time last year, but the Fingallians clubman is adamant that the problem has now been rectified and he’s ready to put his weight behind Dublin’s bid for back-to-back League and Championship triumphs.

“Everything is going really well,” he told The42. “I’ve been doing a lot of work on rehab, I’m pain-free, I’m training hard and it’s great not having to think about it. I can just concentrate on playing football.”

Flynn is now in his ninth season on the Dublin panel, a spell which has yielded three All-Irelands, three National Leagues, seven Leinster titles and four Allstars. That length of service is bound to take its toll, as evidenced by the aforementioned injury which has plagued him for quite a while.

“To be honest, it’s been wear-and-tear from the last three years. It’s always been something that’s niggled at me and then last year it got to a stage where it was relentless,” Flynn explained.

“It wasn’t easing so I wasn’t able to put tough sessions together back-to-back. It was just really, really sore and very discomforting. But that’s gone now, thank God. I’ve had the work done and there’s no pain at all.”

Paul Flynn and Kevin O'Driscoll Dublin's Paul Flynn challenging Cork's Kevin O'Driscoll during their Allianz League game earlier this month. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

That has contributed to the gradual realisation that while Flynn can still be a key player for the reigning All-Ireland champions, minor adjustments are required to the process of preparation to ensure that he remains a significant asset to his team on matchday.

“I suppose I’m lucky enough in terms of the set-up within Dublin, they understand that some players already have a lot of training, games and tough seasons behind them, so we can tailor our training to suit. We’re not flogging ourselves if it’s not needed,” said Flynn.

“You might throw in a non-contact gym session or a bike session instead of a tough running session, which is obviously going to have a harder impact on the body. We’re lucky enough to have that.

Also, I think this is my ninth or tenth season with Dublin and at that stage you start to understand your body. You learn to make sure you listen to it.

“When you’re younger you kind of think that you have to train harder during a bit of down-time like last weekend. Now I realise that rest, recovery and letting the body settle is more important. If I trust in that, I know I’ll be fit and ready for the game at the weekend. You just have to trust your body.”

Having said that, Flynn — a business development manager with Lincoln Recruitment — certainly doesn’t believe the end is near: “No, I don’t think so. I look at the likes of Alan Brogan last year, 34 years of age. Now, for different circumstances he has decided he doesn’t want to play anymore.

“I suppose there’s a commitment mentally as well as physically and it was definitely nothing physical stopping Alan from going on, I can assure you. He was beating any of the younger lads in long-distance sprints. It’s more about making sure that the balance between the body and the mind is right as I come into my 30s.

“Obviously life goes on, you develop in your career and then there’s home life as well, so you have to be able to balance that kind of trinity in your life. That’s where the difficulties can come in. I think the body is 100% now, the groin is a-okay, my fitness is one of my strong points and it definitely feels like I’m getting up to the top level again.”

Bernard Brogan and Paul Flynn celebrates with the Sam Maguire trophy Bernard Brogan and Paul Flynn celebrate after last September's All-Ireland final win over Kerry. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin haven’t had a more consistent performer than Paul Flynn in recent years, and although he missed out on an Allstar last season for the first time since 2010, the former DCU student was as reliable as ever as the Dubs overcame Kerry in last September’s All-Ireland final.

He’ll be joining Stephen Cluxton, Bernard Brogan, Denis Bastick and Eoghan O’Gara in the 30s club this summer, but Flynn expects to maintain the high standards he has set for himself for a long time yet.

I have no doubt that there’s still that level of performance, and more, in me. And I always try to build from game-to-game. Even in the latter stages of last year, in the All-Ireland series, I was very happy with my performances.

“Over the last number of years I’ve been able to put big performances together back-to-back and like any player at inter-county level, or any level or sport for that matter, it’s about keeping the body fit and healthy and continuing to put those performances in.”

Flynn’s next opportunity to deliver another big performance will come this evening at Croke Park when Dublin face a Donegal side who’ll be aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

“It’ll be a tough game,” he said. “They’re coming off the back of two losses and, especially in Croke Park, they’re going to be very much up for it. With the week off, I’m sure they’ll come back fresh and they’ll be flying.

Frank McGlynn and Neil McGee tackle Paul Flynn Paul Flynn under pressure from Donegal's Frank McGlynn and Neil McGee in the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“It’s a great game to look forward to, which is the thing about Division 1 football. There isn’t an easy game. They’re all challenging and they’re all teams who have their eyes on winning All-Irelands.

“When you’re playing these teams, it helps you build on your own performances collectively. That’s the beauty of the League, having those regular games, which is why for a lot of guys — myself included — it’s probably the most enjoyable time of the year.”

Setanta Sports ambassador Paul Flynn was speaking ahead of Dublin’s clash with Donegal in the Allianz Leagues tonight. The game is live on Setanta Ireland. To subscribe go to www.setanta.com.

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