The Kildare native returned home from a stint with AFL side Port Adelaide recently but will be one of 11 players from across Ireland taking part in trials in London this week.
Flynn is one of four players from Kildare and, quite amazingly, one of three from the Johnstownbridge club in the county alongside his brother Luke and Paddy Brophy, with senior star Sean Hurley making up the contingent of players from the Lilywhites hoping to impress AFL representatives across the pond this week.
Flynn joined AFL side Port Adelaide on a two-year deal late last year but returned home last month having struggled with homesickness during his time Down Under, with the club themselves admitting that there was a chance he would not return.
His participation in this week’s trials would suggest that he would be open to a return to Australia, however, and along with his three fellow Kildare men, he will be joined in London by last year’s All-Ireland winning minor captain Stephen Coen and Shehroz Akram, both from Mayo, Ciaron O’Hanlon from Armagh, Kerry’s Pádraig Lucey, Colin O’Riordan from Tipperary, Peter Cooke from Galway and Tyrone’s Conor McKenna.
According to the GAA website, the 11 Irish players will be part of a group of 26 players, all between the ages of 17 and 25, taking part in trials and training together for a week before coming together as a ‘European Legion’ team which will take on an elite Australian selection on Saturday, April 12.
The Irish contingent will be joined by six players from Denmark, four from England, three from Croatia and one apiece from Germany and Sweden and the European Legion team will be coached by former Kerry and Sydney Swans star Tadgh Kennelly, now an international talent co-ordinator with the AFL.
“We’re really looking forward to the week,” Kennelly is quoted as saying on the GAA website.
“Spending the time together to train alongside the best young players from Australia is a new and exciting opportunity. It’s going to accelerate their skills and show us who can handle the pressure best, not to mention the time the AFL Club recruiters will get to watch and speak with them.
“The players will go back to their countries with a better idea of life as a professional athlete and they can share what they’ve learnt with their team mates. Long term it all helps to grow the game in Europe.”
