Flynn will decide future in New Year

DUBLIN FORWARD Kevin Flynn will decide on his intercounty future in the New Year but has admitted that Anthony Daly's appointment as the county's new senior hurling manager provided him with an "immediate adrenaline boost".

Flynn (32) made his championship debut in 1996 and although thrilled by Daly's appointment, he insisted that it will not influence his forthcoming decision in any way. The O'Toole's clubman said: "To be honest, it's down to a personal decision and not anything to do with the management coming in.

"Anybody coming in will work to the best of his ability and it's down to whether I have the hunger or if I'm enjoying it any more. You could have Merlin the Magician in charge, but if you don't have the hunger it doesn't count for anything."

However, Flynn expressed his delight after former All-Ireland winning captain Daly was ratified last night for a two-year term as Tommy Naughton's successor.

Flynn added: "It's fantastic, a massive coup for Dublin hurling in general. He's one of those inspirational-type players and leaders on the pitch and he brought those qualities into the dressingroom when he managed Clare.

"I heard people from Clare saying that some of his speeches in the dressingroom were unbelievable and he's one of those men who commands instant respect.

"I think a lot of people were looking towards Nicky English in charge of Dublin but I believe that Anthony Daly is just as good, if not better."

Flynn agreed a high-profile appointment was necessary and may just give Dublin the impetus to push for that elusive championship breakthrough. "Tommy did a fabulous job and we were very competitive over the last number of years but when you're looking to make that final breakthrough, the last couple of steps can become more and more difficult the closer you get," said Flynn.

The player was non-committal on his future with Dublin, explaining: "In the past you trained to get fit but now you have to be fit to train. That means looking after your diet and five or six nights a week including matches after you finish work. It consumes your life and I'm recently married. When you're younger, there's a lot more time and less pressure."