Captaining Leitrim Gaels to Fenagh Cup the greatest honour of Aidan's sporting life!

Every year we ask different people to give us their thoughts as we review the sporting year. Starting us off is Leitrim Gaels captain Aidan Flynn as he looks back on an historic year for his club 

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

This has to be a personal highlight. Leitrim Gaels winning the Senior Championship in 2025 was the standout moment of the year for me.  It was my 17th season playing with the club and, without doubt, the most enjoyable. Winning is special, but what made it unforgettable was the backing of the village, the tireless work of the committee, the preparation by management, and the commitment shown by every player. To captain that team was the greatest honour of my sporting life.

LOWLIGHT OF THE YEAR

Leitrim not fielding against Fermanagh was my biggest disappointment of the year. Although it was my first season not playing with Leitrim in some time, I was still a passionate supporter and had planned to attend the game. Like many others in the county, I felt deeply let down. In my opinion, more could and should have been done to ensure the team took the field. It was embarrassing and something that must be avoided at all costs. We are far too proud a county for a repeat of that situation.

PERSON THAT MADE ME GO WOW IN 2025

I was fortunate enough to attend the All-Ireland Football Final this year and witness the Clifford brothers in full flight. On the day, Paudie Clifford was immense, getting on an incredible amount of ball, but David is the player with the true “wow” factor. I genuinely feel sorry for anyone tasked with marking him. His performances throughout the year, on the way to another Footballer of the Year award, were simply incredible. I believe we are watching the greatest player to ever play the game, and it is a privilege to see him live.

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

On a national level, Rory McIlroy is my personality of the year. He may not always be everyone’s favourite, but his perseverance deserves huge admiration. After enduring several nightmare final rounds at The Masters in previous years, the pressure he faced going back again must have been immense. To finally overcome that and complete the career Grand Slam was extraordinary. It was a reminder of the mental strength required at the highest level of sport and showed why resilience and belief are just as important as talent.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

I could easily name Leitrim Gaels again here, but instead I want to highlight the Leitrim minor team that featured four of my club teammates: Seán Gaffney, Scott Kerr, Gearóid Curley, and Ronan Connolly. They enjoyed a fantastic season, winning the Connacht Shield and producing one of the highlights of the summer with a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Down. It was a huge achievement and a credit to the work put in by the players and management. Well done to Ciarán Kennedy and Danny Beck on an excellent campaign.

HERO OF THE YEAR

At national level, it is impossible to look past Troy Parrott as my hero of the year. His two outstanding performances against Portugal and Hungary, where he scored five goals, were a massive boost for Irish sport and Irish soccer in particular. The game had dipped in recent years, but his impact reignited belief and optimism among supporters. Performances like those lift an entire nation and give fans something to rally behind. There is now genuine excitement around the team, and hopefully we are in for a memorable summer if World Cup qualification can be achieved.

ONE THING I’D DO TO MAKE SPORT BETTER IN 2026

I’ll be the first to admit that I was extremely sceptical  about the rule changes in men’s football this year, but they worked brilliantly. The game became faster, more skill-based, and far more enjoyable to play and watch. Because of that success, I don’t think the ladies’ game or underage competitions should waste any time in implementing them. They can only enhance the sport. I’d also like to acknowledge the referees in the county, who did a tremendous job managing the changes. It was no easy task given the scale of the alterations.

WHAT ARE THE BIG CHALLENGES FACING LEITRIM SPORT IN 2026?

Participation is the biggest challenge facing Leitrim sport moving forward. With my background in teaching, I see first-hand how difficult it can be to keep children involved, particularly when sport is competing with screens and technology. 

Good coaches and volunteers who are willing to give up their own time to encourage and support young players are absolutely vital. A positive word or supportive environment can make all the difference. It may be the deciding factor in whether a child continues to participate in sport or walks away from it altogether.

ONE TO WATCH IN 2026

I’m hoping to see the Leitrim senior footballers return to winning ways in 2026. Barry McNulty’s performances in the Tailteann Cup last year were outstanding, and with a bit more luck regarding injuries, he could be hugely influential in the league. Hopefully, he can help drive a push for a Division 4 title. 

At underage level, the Leitrim U15s’ success in winning the Humphrey Kelleher Cup was fantastic, captained by Adam McCormack, a former pupil of mine. I’m really looking forward to seeing how he and his teammates progress over the next two years, when hopefully they go on to represent Leitrim minors.