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Paul Flanagan (born 16 September 1992) is an Irish hurler. At club he plays with Ballyea, while he had also previously lined out at inter-county level with various Clare teams.

Playing career

Flanagan first played hurling to a high standard as a student at St. Flannan's College in Ennis. He lined out for the college in all grades, including the Harty Cup. He later played with the University of Limerick in the Fitzgibbon Cup.

At club level, Flanagan first played hurling at underage levels with Ballyea, while he also played Gaelic football with Clondegad. He enjoyed success as a minor hurler, before later being a dual medal-winner in the under-21 grades. At adult level, Flanagan has also won a Clare IFC medal and four Clare SHC medals. He was at centre-back when Ballyea were beaten by Cuala in the 2017 All-Ireland club final.

Flanagan first appeared on the inter-county scene with Clare at minor level. He captained the team to a defeat by Kilkenny in the 2010 All-Ireland minor final. Flanagan progressed to the under-21 team and won back-to-back All-Ireland U21HC medals in 2012 and as team captain in 2013.

Flanagan was still eligible for the under-21 grade when he was also drafted onto the senior team. He was a non-used substitute when Clare beat Cork in a replay to win the All-Ireland SHC title in 2013. He was also a member of the team that won the National League title in 2016. Flanagan has remained a peripheral figure on the team, and only made his first championship start in 2022.

On 21 July 2024, he was an unused substitute as Clare won the All-Ireland for the first time in 11 years after an extra-time win against Cork by 3-29 to 1-34, claiming their fifth All-Ireland title.

On 27 September 2024, Flanagan announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

Coaching career

Flanagan has also become involved in team management and coaching as a teacher in Ardscoil Rís in Limerick. He was part of the management team that guided the school to Harty Cup titles in 2016 and 2018, before winning the All-Ireland Colleges SHC title in 2022.<ref>"Paul Flanagan: Next two weeks will tell where Clare hurlers are at". Irish Independent. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.<

Honours

Player

Ballyea

• Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship: 2016
• Clare Senior Hurling Championship: 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022
• Clare Senior B Hurling Championship: 2013
• Clare Under-21 A Hurling Championship: 2012
• Clare Under-21 B Hurling Championship: 2011
• Clare Minor B Hurling Championship: 2009

Clondegad

• Clare Intermediate Football Championship: 2011
• Clare Under-21 A Football Championship: 2012

Clare

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 2013, 2024
• National Hurling League: 2016, 2024
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship: 2012, 2013 (c)
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 2012, 2013 (c)
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship: 2010 (c)

Management

Ardscoil Rís

• Dr Croke Cup: 2022
• Dr Harty Cup: 2016, 2018

References

1. "St. Flannan's through to Harty Cup play-offs". The Clare Champion. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
2. "Have the Clare players changed since winning the All-Ireland? Not a bit, says Galway hurler". The 42. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
3. "Clondegad and Breckan's advance to U21 B final". Hogan Stand. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
4. "Ballyea stun Townies with another special comeback". Irish Examiner. 23 October 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
5. "Dublin club Cuala claim All-Ireland Club hurling title with ease". Irish Examiner. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
6. "Flanagan keen to enjoy big occasion". Irish Examiner. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
7. "Major entertainment as Kilkenny's minors overcome Clare". The 42. 5 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
8. O'Flynn, Diarmuid (17 September 2012). "Dynamic duo drive Clare to glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
9. O'Riordan, Ian (14 September 2013). "Clare win pulling up to take third title in five years". Irish Times. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
10. "'Hurling is a fickle game, full of failure' – Paul Flanagan on his Clare resurrection". Irish Independent. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
11. "Tony Kelly inspires Banner to first League title since 1978". Irish Independent. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
12. "'Couldn't happen to a nicer fella' - A first senior champ start for Clare at 28 and coaching Limerick stars". The 42. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
13. Ryan, Eoin (21 July 2024). "Clare find extra gear to edge Cork in historic hurling final epic". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
14. "All-Ireland SHC Final: Clare win epic encounter". GAA.ie. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
15. "Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34". Munster GAA. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
16. "Clare stalwart Paul Flanagan hangs up his hurl". RTE News. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.

• 1992 births
• Living people
• Ballyea hurlers
• Clondegad Gaelic footballers
• Clare inter-county hurlers
• Hurling coaches
• 21st-century Irish sportsmen