All-Star and radiographer Séamus Flanagan back at work at UHL earlier in the week.
Séamus Flanagan was deservedly named at full-forward on the 2021 All-Stars Hurling Team, thus following in the footsteps of two other Feohanagh-Castlemahon greats in goalkeeping geniuses, the late Tommy (1992) and Joe Quaid (1994 and ’96),
He was one of five first-time recipients – along with Barry Nash, William O’Donoghue, Darragh O’Donovan and Peter Casey – as back-to-back All-Ireland kingpins Limerick claimed a record-shattering 12 awards, which brings our haul now to 76, spread across 42 players and 17 clubs, since the scheme was introduced in 1971.
For good measure, Cian Lynch of Patrickswell was chosen as Player of the Year.
Towering 6’2” attacker Séamus, the holder of three All-Ireland, three Munster and two National League winners’ medals, and who has scored a brilliant 3-30 in his 21 games with the flagship county team– still recalls the surprise at his call-up to the senior panel following spells with both the minor and Under-21 Limerick sides.
By his own admission, he hadn’t set the world alight in the lead-up to manager John Kiely making contact in late 2017. “I was thinking to myself this lad [John] must have the wrong number. It must be another Séamus, maybe it’s Séamus Hickey he’s looking for, because it’s definitely not me,” recalled modest Séamus.
Kiely’s faith in the Blonde Bomber was justified as he made many memorable contributions in Limerick’s season of seasons in 2018.
He was harshly overlooked for an All-Star three years ago, but he was most certainly the only fit for the number 14 slot this time around.
A busy newly qualified radiographer at University Hospital Limerick, his personal profile on LinkedIn reveals much about his utter overall professionalism: “I have vast experience in team situations. Extreme work ethic along with a standard to which I hold myself ensures that anything I put my mind to I achieve. Reliable and trustworthy, I excel in a team leader role. Highly ambitious and a strong drive to succeed.”
Séamus also set up THE NOT HECTIC PROJECT at the start of this year, and his own fashion line is proving immensely popular.
He also regularly adds extra craic to the radio show of Dermot and Dave on Today FM, especially when Limerick’s favourite ‘chaaawwklit’ seller Noni is also on air.
The winning of an All-Star by Séamus, still just 24, is wonderful for the Flanagan family, particularly for dad John, himself a holder of two Munster Senior Championship medals, and mam Anne-Marie.
2021 All-Star Team: Eoin Murphy (Kilkenny); Seán Finn (Bruff), Conor Prunty (Waterford), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), Declan Hannon (Adare), Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry); William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), Darragh O’Donovan (Doon); Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s), Cian Lynch (Patrickswell), Tom Morrissey (Ahane); Tony Kelly (Clare), Séamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh).