Kevin O'Flanagan facts for kids

Kevin Patrick O'Flanagan (born June 10, 1919 – died May 26, 2006) was an amazing Irish sportsman, doctor, and sports leader. He was incredibly talented in many sports. He played for his country in both soccer and rugby. Kevin was also a fast runner (sprinter) and a great long jumper. As a young person, he even played Gaelic football. In his free time, he enjoyed golf and tennis.

O'Flanagan played soccer for famous clubs like Bohemian and Arsenal. He also played internationally for both Irish soccer teams at the time: the FAI XI and the IFA XI. In rugby, he played for UCD, London Irish, and the Irish national team.

In 1946, he played rugby for Ireland against France. Just seven days later, he played soccer for the IFA XI against Scotland. His brother, Mick O'Flanagan, was also a great sportsman. Mick also played for Ireland in both soccer and rugby. On September 30, 1946, both brothers played soccer together for the FAI XI against England.

Later in life, O'Flanagan became an important Olympic official. He was part of the International Olympic Committee from 1976 to 1994. When he retired, he became an honorary lifetime member. Kevin O'Flanagan passed away in a Dublin hospital in 2006 at 86 years old.

Kevin O'Flanagan's Sporting Journey

Starting Sports as a Youngster

Kevin O'Flanagan went to Synge Street CBS school in Dublin. There, the main sport was Gaelic football. He was chosen to be on the junior Dublin county team. Another famous player, Johnny Carey, was also on that team.

Kevin and Johnny also played soccer for Home Farm. When the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) found out, Kevin was removed from the Gaelic football team. He kept playing soccer and joined Bohemian at just 16 years old. In 1937, he played for an Irish junior soccer team and scored two goals. This led to offers from big clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United. However, his parents wanted him to finish his education first.

University Sports Star

In 1937, O'Flanagan began studying medicine at University College Dublin (UCD). This is where he truly became an amazing all-round sportsman. He continued playing soccer for Bohemian. On November 7, 1937, at 18, he scored a goal in his first senior game for Ireland. This was a qualifying match for the 1938 FIFA World Cup against Norway.

In 1945, he was the captain of the Bohs team that won the Dublin and Belfast Intercity Cup. They beat Belfast Celtic in the final. While at UCD, O'Flanagan also started playing rugby union. He played for the university team. In 1942, he was called up to the Irish national rugby squad.

O'Flanagan also became a top track and field athlete. He was the Irish long jump champion in 1939. In 1941, he won both the 60 yards and 100 yards sprint titles. He even shared the long jump title in 1941 but gave the medal to his rival because he already had one. Only World War II stopped him from representing Ireland in a third sport.

Playing and Working in London

After becoming a doctor from UCD in 1945, O'Flanagan moved to Ruislip, Middlesex, to work as a junior doctor. He still loved sports and played soccer for Arsenal. He also played rugby union for London Irish. Even though he was good enough to be a professional soccer player, he stayed an amateur. This allowed him to keep playing rugby, which was an amateur sport at the time.

In his first season with Arsenal (1945–46), he scored 11 goals in 18 games. He was the club's top scorer that season. He played his last game for Arsenal's senior team in December 1946. He later played for Barnet and Brentford. By 1949, increasing work as a doctor and an ankle injury made him stop playing sports.

However, O'Flanagan, who was now a specialist in sports medicine, had a new career path. He met the chairman of the FA, Stanley Rous. This meeting led to him joining the British Olympic Medical Commission. He also became the team doctor for Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Playing for Ireland Internationally

Soccer for His Country

When Kevin O'Flanagan started playing international soccer in 1937, there were two different Irish teams. These teams were chosen by two rival groups: the IFA (based in Northern Ireland) and the FAI (based in the Irish Free State). Both groups claimed to represent all of Ireland. Because of this, many great Irish players, including O'Flanagan, played for both teams.

Between 1937 and 1947, O'Flanagan played 10 games and scored 3 goals for the FAI XI. He made his international debut against Norway on November 7, 1937. He scored a goal in that game, which ended in a 3–3 draw. A highlight of his career was scoring two goals in a 2–2 draw against Hungary in 1939. His two amazing goals from long distance almost won the game for Ireland.

In 1946, while playing for Arsenal, O'Flanagan also played in two special "Victory Internationals" for the IFA XI. These games were played after World War II. He played against Scotland and helped the IFA XI beat Wales 1–0.

Rugby for His Country

In 1942, while playing for UCD, O'Flanagan played rugby for an Irish XV team. In 1946, he played in an unofficial international game against France. In 1947, he earned his only official cap (international appearance) in a Test match against Australia.

Sports Doctor and Leader

In the 1950s, O'Flanagan moved back to Dublin and started a successful medical practice. He briefly played soccer again for Bohemian. He stayed involved in sports for the rest of his life. Over the years, he held many important positions in sports and medicine.

• Vice-president of the Olympic Council of Ireland
• Member of the International Olympic Committee: 1976–1994
  • IOC Medical Commission: 1980–1994
  • Olympic Programme Commission: 1993–1994
  • Honorary lifetime member of IOC: 1995
• Irish Representative on the Sports Medicine Committee of the Council of Europe
• President of the Irish Sports Medicine Association
• Chairman of the Irish National Rehabilitation Board
  • President of World Congress for Rehabilitation: 1969
• Council of People for the Handicapped, USA
• Chief Medical Officer of Athletic Association of Ireland
• Chief Medical Officer at Bohemian: 1960s-1970s
• Chief Medical Officer of Irish Olympic Team: 1960–1976

Honours

Soccer Player

Bohemians

• Dublin and Belfast Intercity Cup: 1
  • Winners 1945