KerryLondon Person of the Year 2009 Announced
Posted by Tara Cronin (tara) on Oct 02 2009 at 8:10 AM
News >>

John Flavin,65 ,has been selected as the Kerry Person of the Year by the Kerry Association London.

The Ballylongford native who has worked and lived in the British capital since 1962 was nominated for his efforts in helping people of all nationalities who were working in the construction industry in Britain and for his sporting achievements that included winning an All-Ireland minor medal for Kerry in 1962.

The Rayners Lane resident is a former president [1992-94] of the Union of Construction and Allied Trade and Technicians and has held every fulltime role, from shop steward to national secretary in the biggest construction trade union in Britain.

“I spent my life working in construction with people from all over the world,” he said “The biggest number of people in the industry come form Ireland and a lot came from Kerry and I made sure that they were all getting what they were entitled to in terms of pensions and holiday entitlements. When I started men were expected to jump into the back of a lorry in the early hours of the morning and get taken to a job. They were being exploited and I helped change all of that.”

Further political achievements include running for election as a Labour Party candidate in the pre-dominantly Conservative Borough of Harrow and forcing the government to change health and safety legislation for construction workers.

His achievements in sport are equally legendary and ultimately led to him moving from Ballylongford in north Kerry to London.

His All-Ireland minor success came in 1962 when he lined out for Kerry as a corner forward against Mayo. A few weeks earlier, in the semi-final against Offaly, he made sporting and television history by becoming the first GAA player to score a point on live television. He also boxed for Middle Row boxing club in London, ran for the London Irish Athletic Club and wrestled along side Killarney world champion Joe Kelleher with Foresters Wrestling club in London.

“I came to London in 1963 for my sister, Margaret’s wedding,” he explained, “The wedding was on a Saturday and The Kingdom club were playing in the London final the following day and they asked me to play. The game was a draw and they asked me to stay for the replay. That time it was not so easy to be over and back to Ireland and I ended up staying.”

Flavin admitted that the award came as huge surprise to him.

“I didn’t seek this award, my nieces and nephews nominated me without my knowledge, “he said, “It is a great honour and I know there is a lot of great Kerry people in London. I know what it is like to leave the old country and learn how to survive.”

The association’s chairman John Shea added: “John stood out head and shoulders above all the other nominees. He has been a major asset to Irish people, not alone Kerry people by helping people that were in difficult circumstances. His CV is impressive and this is backed up in terms of the quality and quantity of his achievements.”

John Flavin will receive the Denis Reidy memorial trophy at the association’s annual dinner and dance at the Crown Hotel, Cricklewood on October 23.  Tickets, at a cost of £50,  are still available from the Kerry Association London by contacting its secretary Tara Cronin on +44 (0) 7939 017022 or via the website www.kerryassociationlondon.co.uk