Paul Flynn was Waterford's matchwinner in the 2004 Munster final against Cork with 1-7 including that second half dipper at the Killinan End in Semple Stadium. The Ballygunner great, who got 24 championship goals for the Déise, reminded winning manager Justin McCarthy of a Rebel icon.
"I saw shades of Christy Ring in Paul Flynn. I saw Ring when I was young and I used to study him. Paul Flynn had that kind of ability. He had a tremendous shot. He was cool, maybe too cool sometimes! He stood up to the plate that day. That was an exceptional goal, no doubt about that. He had that kind of devilment in him and when you got that out of him, he was hard to stop."
McCarthy believes that the Waterford team of the noughties will always be remembered fondly. "I know fellas who have All Ireland medals in Cork and other counties and they're forgotten overnight because they hadn't that ability or couldn't give those classic performances like those fellas in Waterford did."
Justin McCarthy will feature on Lár na Páirce Hurling In The Years on Friday evening from 6.10 with thanks to PWC Waterford along with captain Ken McGrath and man of the match Paul Flynn.
