Stalwart who has dedicated his life to Tipperary athletics joins Hall of Fame

Above: John Flynn, Moyne AC, who received the Tipperary County Athletics Board Hall of Fame award, pictured with his wife Imelda, daughter Elaine and Owen Fanning, Chairman of the Tipperary County Athletics Board

In a ‘This is your Life’ style presentation, the achievements of a Moyne Athletics Club stalwart were rolled back over an entire lifetime, as he was honoured with the coveted Tipperary County Athletics Board Tipperary Star Hall of Fame Award for 2024.

There were scenes of jubilation at the annual County Athletics Awards ceremony at Horse and Jockey Hotel, where the prestigious award was presented to John Flynn.

The award was presented by Owen Fanning, Chairman of the Tipperary County Athletics Board, who spoke glowingly of the contribution that John has made to athletics within the county and beyond.

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John’s wife, Imelda was presented with a bouquet of flowers and also present was his daughter Elaine, and a strong representation of supporters from Moyne Athletic Club.

John was described as having “been part of the athletics scene since he first captured the County Novice Cross Country title in 1965 in Holycross”.

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Owen Fanning, in his citation added, “Despite the passing of 60 years, he has continued to dedicate his life to athletics and that title in 1965 was the start of a stellar athletics career”.

In 1965 John finished third in the County Junior Championships in Ballynonty and 11th in the Munster Youths in Kenmare, winning his first Munster medal as part of the Tipperary team that finished third; and captured his first national medal in Navan at the All-Ireland Youths Championships as part of the Tipperary county team that finished third. John himself finished in 19th Position overall, not bad for a 17-year-old.

John continued his excellent performances into the following year with individual medals in the County Youths, Under 23, Junior and Intermediate Championships, along with Munster and national medals with Tipperary at Novice and Junior level.

A very consistent performer at county level, he also finished sixth in 1967 in Two-Mile-Borris; third in 1968 in Golden and fourth in 1969 in Knockavilla in the County Senior Cross Country. He had to wait until 1977 to claim the coveted club team title with Moyne.

This was the start of a four-year dominance by Moyne and John was a member of all four successful teams. In 1977 Moyne AC won the County 5-mile Road Championship, in 1984 Moyne AC won the County and Munster Intermediate Cross Country titles and, in each case, John was a pivotal member of these teams.

He also never failed to support any Tipperary team and was a member of numerous cross country and road medal-winning teams right up to Masters level, where he also performed with distinction, winning many county and Munster individual and team medals.

John also had the distinction of capturing the 1,500 metres title at the All-Ireland Masters Indoor Championships in Nenagh in 1995, and in 1997 was second in the 1,500 metres and third in the 800 metres at the National Masters Indoor Championships.

John was the recipient of many congratulations and good wishes following the presentation and his induction into the County Athletics Hall of Fame.