Paul Flynn is telling anyone that will listen that he is fully fit but his performances and scoring return suggest otherwise.
Flynn went for surgery, earlier this year, in an attempt to get to the bottom of groin issues that had hampered him ever since 2013. The groin flare-ups went from being a niggle, he admitted back in May, to “relentless”.
One month later, however, and a warm-up injury meant he was replaced just before the Leinster qualifier win over Laois.
He scored a goal in the closing stages of the Allianz Leagues Final win over Kerry but it was his only score of the afternoon. Over the championship summer, the four-time All Star has contributed a mere three points from four outings.
Looking back on last Sunday’s final, Flynn appears to be hampered. It could well be the groin again, or the thigh, but there were a couple of instances were he kneaded the upper part of his legs as if coaxing more from them.
As anyone with a history of groin injuries would know, that explosiveness from your first step cedes. It can often take months to build the strength back up in muscles that have endured so much strain.
Flynn rarely broke into a sprint on the Croke Park pitch and was outpaced by Keith Higgins down the left-hand side as early as four minutes in. For the first 20 minutes, Flynn’s All-Ireland consisted of hand passes, getting fouled for a free that Dean Rock missed, some forlorn chasing back and a kick that drifted well wide.
The rest of the half? Well, there was one possession and hand-pass and that was it. The game was passing him by.
#SundayGame Diarmuid Connollys defensive covering was part of what saved Dublin.
Paul Flynn can't start next day— Padraig O Ríada (@patrickreid45) September 18, 2016
His lethargy – and that of several Dublin forwards – was brought into stark light by the purposeful runs and crisp shooting of Paddy Andrews, on for the black-carded John McCarthy.
The first straight swap for Dublin was Paul Mannion replacing the wayward Kevin McMananamon who, at least, was getting on the ball. Flynn had a sole possession in the first 10 minutes as Mayo surged back to level the scores.
52 minutes in and the folly on continuing with Flynn emerged. Colm Boyle played the ball over his head to Jason Doherty. Not for the first time, Flynn was chasing; reacting.
Doherty checked his run and Flynn took another tumble on the slick surface.
The Mayo forward had a simple point on offer but found Andy Moran in space. He should have scored a goal but fired just wide. A let off for Dublin.
Flynn played most of the second 35 (+7) in his half but a feisty exchange with Lee Keegan spurred him to make one dart forward that should have led to an Andrews score.
That was just about that. Dublin were conservative and ponderous in the second half. Flynn was replaced with three minutes to go and was on the sideline when Cillian O’Connor nailed a 76th minute equaliser.
Only Brian Fenton, John Small, Johnny Cooper and possibly Davy Byrne and Philly McMahon performed anywhere near their usual levels. Flynn was way off but he was not the only one.
He is hampered by something more than a niggle at present. It is not enough to rule him out of games but it looks as though he is only operating at 80%.
We asked SportsJOE readers if Flynn and Brogan should make way for next Saturday’s replay and the vote was 55/45% in favour of retaining the 30-somethings.
Dublin boss Jim Gavin has a big call to make and he must make it by Thursday night. One suspects that Flynn may be the unlucky one but McManamon has that super-sub pedigree.
An axing would be tough on Flynn – one of Dublin’s best forwards in recent years but, unfortunately, not this campaign.
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