BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Flynn's leap into history

St Pius Magherafelt teacher Paddy Flynn has won a painting specially commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland to mark Armagh's famous All Ireland victory over Kerry.

Lurgan-man Flynn won the painting in a competition which work-colleagues entered on his behalf.

"As an Armagh fan, I was naturally at the match itself and didn't see the television coverage", explains Flynn.

"But Philip Kerr and a few friends watching the Final in the Magherafelt clubrooms sent in a name for the painting to try and win it for me!".

The title, 'A Leap into History', was chosen from hundreds of entries by Armagh artist Seamus Duffy as the most appropriate.

Paddy Flynn (front right) is a teacher at St Pius Magherafelt
Paddy Flynn (front left) receives his prize from the painter

The painting shows an Armagh player catching a high ball from a Kerry player.

BBC Northern Ireland Sports Presenter Jerome Quinn revealed that the competition had drawn a record entry.

"We commissioned the painting because we wanted to have something special to mark the occasion, and when Armagh won the Sam Maguire, hundreds of viewers wanted to win the prize," said Jerome.

Winner Flynn said he felt that he now owned a piece of history and that it would take pride of place in his parents' home in Lurgan.

His work-colleague Philip Kerr, is also pictured.


	Links to more N Ireland stories