Dr. Kevin O'Flanagan was an all-round sportsman who won sprint and long jump championships in Ireland and was the first person to have been inducted into the FAI’s Hall of Fame.
He qualified as a doctor and joined Arsenal in October 1945 when he was appointed to a hospital in Ruislip. O'Flanagan signed league forms in May 1946 and again in January 1949 after a lapse of a full season.
The Dublin-born winger was an outstanding all-rounder who represented his country at both football and rugby union, featuring for Ireland’s national rugby side three times between 1942 and 1947.
His brother, Mick, was also a notable sportsman and also represented Ireland at both sports and in September 1946 the brothers played for an FAI XI against England.
Kevin made his Arsenal debut in a 6-0 FA Cup defeat to West Ham in January 1946 before playing another 15 matches for the club. He scored three goals in his three-year spell at Highbury but saw his career cut short with an ankle injury.
O'Flanagan later played for Corinthian Casuals, Barnet and Brentford and appeared for UCD, Lansdowne, London Irish and Leinster in rugby union.
He returned to Ireland to concentrate on his practice in Dublin and was doctor to the Irish Olympic team on numerous occasions while he also served on the Sports Medical Council.
He sadly passed away on the 26th of May 2008 at the age of 86.
