On behalf of all in our club we would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of our Club President, Austin Flynn who passed to his eternal reward yesterday.
Austin was of course a member of the outstanding Waterford hurling team of the 1950s and 60s, having made his debut in 1952 he went on to make the full back position his own up to his retirement in 1967.
Austin first tasted success with our club in 1950 when he was on our Junior Hurling team who defeated Dunhill in the County Final. Austin went on to become the defensive rock of our club's Senior Team during the 50s and 60s, which saw us contest four County Finals in 1955, 57, 64 and 69, where unfortunately a star studded Mt Sion team prevented Austin winning that elusive Senior Hurling medal.
On the inter County scene Austin would taste more success, as he won three Munster Senior Hurling Medals, one National Hurling League title, one Oireachtas title and of course he was full back on the side that defeated Kilkenny after a replay in 1959 to claim the Liam McCarthy.
Further to his success in the Waterford jersey, Austin won three Cú Chulainn Awards, was selected on the Munster Railway Cup side on numerous occasions and was picked as the very first Waterford Hurler of the Year in 1967. Of course he was also picked at full back on the Waterford Team of the Millennium and more recently he was inducted into the Munster GAA Hall of Fame.
For all this success Austin remained modest in the extreme and was one of life's great conversationalists. A chat with Austin could often last for hours, especially if it was about hurling. Austin had a great love for Abbeyside which showed in his involvement in scouting and sailing.
Simply known as Austin or "Aushteen" to all in Abbeyside his loss will be felt by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.
Tricolour flying at half mast at our club grounds today in memory of the late Austin Flynn |