Tributes paid to Grand Slam winner and Ireland’s oldest surviving football international

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IRELAND’S OLDEST SURVIVING football international, Michael O’Flanagan, has passed away at the age of 92.

O’Flanagan won one cap for Ireland, against England in 1946, and was also a member of the 1948 Irish rugby Grand Slam winning team.

He and his brother, Kevin, still hold the record as the only brothers to player international football and rugby.

O’Flanagan played football for Home Farm, Belfast Celtic and Bohemians – for whom he scored six goals in their Leinster Senior Cup final win over St Brendan’s in 1947.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney paid tribute to a ‘stalwart’ and confirmed O’Flanagan will be remembered at the next home game against Germany.

“The O’Flanagans contributed a lot to Irish football and rugby and Mick was a stalwart for Bohemians in the League of Ireland,” Delaney said in a statement.

“I would like to extend our sympathy to his wife, Carine, his family and friends.”

Leinster Rugby also paid tribute to the Lansdowne FC club man who played centre for Ireland in a 6-0 win over Scotland alongside greats such as Karl Mullen and Jack Kyle.

He is survived by his wife Carine, his brother Charlie and extended family.

Michael O’Flanagan’s funeral will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 15 September, at 10am in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, followed by burial at Deans Grange Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.

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