Jordan Flynn aiming to create new All-Ireland memories with Crossmolina

Michael Bolton

The last time Crossmolina won an All-Ireland title, the celebrations were unforgettable for Mayo's Jordan Flynn — though not for the reasons you might expect.

Not only did he witness his local club claim All-Ireland glory, but he also broke his leg after being hit by a car during the victory parade at just three years old.

“To be fair to Mum, she doesn't let me forget being hit by the car," says Flynn.

"She had to bring me to hospital every Monday for a year after that, to get me walking right again. She won't let me forget it because I took away her homecoming too."

Fast forward over 23 years, and the Mayo man has been a crucial figure in Crossmolina’s run to the All-Ireland intermediate final.

After being relegated from the senior championship in 2018, it has been a long road back to glory for Crossmolina — but it’s a journey Flynn has relished.

“In Crossmolina, especially since we went to intermediate, we struggled to get past the quarter-final stage,” he explains.

“Last year, we didn’t even get out of the group. We knew we had a great team with great young lads coming through. We just couldn’t seem to stitch it together.

“I don’t know, actually, what was missing. This year, we just said it doesn’t matter how we looked in the past. What we’ll focus on is the league, and then we’ll focus on the championship.

“Whatever comes after that, we’ll take it as it comes. It has just been refreshing. To be fair, people in Crossmolina are almost like Liverpool fans — they’ll travel anyway. Giving them the joy they deserve is what’s really driving us on."

This season, the Mayo club had to dig deep to win the county championship, particularly after a group-stage defeat to Moy Davitts. The two sides met again in the Mayo intermediate final replay, where Crossmolina had to fight tooth and nail to salvage victory.

Should the Mayo side overcome Ulster champions Ballinderry, moments like those will make victory all the sweeter for Flynn.

"Would you say this will stand to us? I imagine so. Does it mean you will go on and win it? No.

"I think the fact that you had to dig deep and push on, I think it will help in some way or form."