From our archives: Paddy Flanagan - This Sporting Life

The GAA community in Westmeath lost one of its chieftains last week when Paddy Flanagan passed away at the age of 92. In May 2013 as part of our This Sporting Life series, Paddy chatted to the Westmeath Examiner's Rodney Farry about his own playing career and what he thought about the state of the modern game.

Most memorable game that you played in?

The most memorable was the first championship final I won with the club. It was against St Mary’s in 1961 (St Loman’s 0-10, St Mary’s 1-5). It was a different type of football back then. It was more direct, there was none of this handpassing thing. It was catch and kick. It (the final) was a tough game in the sense that there was hard hitting in it but it was fair. I wouldn’t say that there was any dirt in it. There was none of that thing at that time. It was fair, honest to God football. We beat them again in 1963 in a replay (St Loman’s 3-7, St Mary’s 0-1).

Most disappointing defeat?

I would say it was when we played Meath in 1955 in the semi-final of the Leinster Championship in Croke Park. Westmeath had gone five or six years without a win in the championship and in 1955 we beat Wicklow in Newbridge. That gave us a semi-final meeting with Meath and they beat us by a point. That was hard to stomach. We could have won it, but we didn’t and that’s history.

Who was the best player you played against at club level?

Mickey Scanlon of Athlone. We met Athlone in a few finals and Mickey Scanlon was full forward. He was a fine footballer and a nice opponent to play on. He was very fair and very straight, there was no messing.

And at county level?

Jimmy O’Brien of Longford. He was cute, full of tricks and devilment. He’d try every trick in the bag. He was very hard to play.

Who was the best player you played with?

I played with some great players. Mick Carley comes to mind straight away, Billy Moran, Mickey Conlon, Jack Reynolds, Tommy Monaghan, Lord have mercy on him, players like that. A number of them played with Leinster – we had fine players.

How does the game you played compare to today’s version? no comparison at all. When we were playing it was get the ball and kick and kick it as far as you could. now it’s basketball. I prefer the old way. Today’s game – it’s not football. I don’t know why they bother with boots.

What do you think of Westmeath’s current crop of footballers?

They’re a good bunch of lads. I have to say we have a limited pool of talent. I was at the Derry match and they were beaten by six points but they weren’t six worse than Derry. The lads gave everything in that match. I don’t mind a team being beaten if they are beaten fair and square. But I hate a team that goes out and doesn’t try. Every one on the day gave their best. I think they are going in the right direction but I think they need one or two more pivotal players.