26 Facts About Kevin O'Flanagan

Kevin Patrick O'Flanagan was an Irish sportsman, physician and sports administrator.

Kevin O'Flanagan was a noted sprinter and long jumper and as a youth played Gaelic football.

Kevin O'Flanagan played rugby union for UCD, London Irish and Ireland.

Kevin O'Flanagan's brother, Mick O'Flanagan, was a notable sportsman and represented Ireland at both soccer and rugby union.

Kevin O'Flanagan subsequently became an Olympic official and served on the International Olympic Committee from 1976 to 1994.

Kevin O'Flanagan died in a Dublin hospital in 2006, at the age of 86, after being admitted for heart problems.

Kevin O'Flanagan attended Synge Street CBS, Dublin where the main sport was Gaelic football and he was included on the minor Dublin county panel.

Kevin O'Flanagan continued to play soccer and joined Bohemian, making his first team debut at 16.

Kevin O'Flanagan's performance resulted in offers from Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United, but his parents insisted that he complete his education.

In 1937 Kevin O'Flanagan began studying medicine at University College Dublin and it was while there that he developed into an all-round sportsman.

Kevin O'Flanagan continued to play soccer for Bohemian and on 7 November 1937, aged 18, he scored on his senior debut for Ireland against Norway, in a qualifier for the 1938 FIFA World Cup.

Kevin O'Flanagan emerged as a prominent athlete and was Irish long jump champion in 1939 and the 60 yards and 100 yards champion in 1941.

Only the Second World War prevented Kevin O'Flanagan representing Ireland at a third sport.

Kevin O'Flanagan maintained his interest in sport playing soccer for Arsenal and rugby union for London Irish.

Kevin O'Flanagan made his first-class league debut against Blackburn Rovers on 4 September 1946.

Kevin O'Flanagan continued to play for Arsenal Reserves until 1948 and later played for both Barnet and Brentford before his increasing medical commitments and an ankle injury, forced him to retire as a sportsman in 1949.

However Kevin O'Flanagan, who was now a specialist in sports medicine, had already embarked on his next career.

When Kevin O'Flanagan began his international soccer career in 1937 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.

Between 1937 and 1947 Kevin O'Flanagan made 10 appearances and scored 3 goals for the FAI XI.

Kevin O'Flanagan won 7 of these caps while playing for Bohemian and made his international debut against Norway on 7 November 1937, in a qualifier for the 1938 FIFA World Cup.

Kevin O'Flanagan scored the first with his left foot from twenty five yards and the second with his right foot from a similar distance.

Kevin O'Flanagan won his last three caps for the FAI XI while at Arsenal.

In 1946, while at Arsenal, Kevin O'Flanagan played in two Victory internationals for the IFA XI.

In 1942, while playing for UCD, Kevin O'Flanagan played for an Ireland XV against a British Army XV at Ravenhill.

Kevin O'Flanagan returned to Dublin in the 1950s and established a successful practice at Upper Fitzwilliam Street.

Kevin O'Flanagan briefly revived his soccer career with Bohemian and remained involved in sport throughout the rest of his life.