Rugby internationals from every decade back to the 1930s were present in Dublin yesterday when two brothers who hold a unique place in Irish sport, Kevin and Michael O'Flanagan, were recipients of the Rugby Writers of Ireland-Guinness Hall of Fame awards. The O'Flanagans are the only two men to have been capped for Ireland at rugby and the Republic of Ireland at soccer. The awards were presented by Jim Stokes, vice-chairman of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, and Clive Brownlee, personnel director of Guinness Ireland.

The IRFU was represented by president Niall Brophy, vice-president Billy Lavery, secretary Philip Browne, honorary treasurer John Lyons and administrative officer Martin Murphy.

Eleven former winners of the Hall of Fame awards were present to honour the latest additions to their ranks - Harry McKibbin, Ham Lambert and Con Murphy, who all played for Ireland in the 1930s, Karl Mullen, Paddy Reid, Jim McCarthy, Bertie O'Hanlon and Jimmy Nelson, all of whom helped to win the Grand Slam in 1948, John O'Meara, a member of the 1951 championship winning team, and Sir Ewart Bell and Ronnie Dawson.

Jack Mattsson, who played against England in the 1948 championship, also attended as did Ollie Campbell from a more recent generation of some of the great players of Irish rugby.

Kevin O'Flanagan is one of the most versatile sportsmen this country has ever produced. A former Irish champion over 60 yards and 100 yards, and in the long jump, he played for the Irish XV against the British Army in 1942 and for the Ireland XV against France in 1946. When full internationals were resumed, he was capped against Australia in December 1947.

He made his debut for the Republic of Ireland against Norway in 1937 and won the last of his 10 caps against Portugal in 1947. He also gained two caps for Northern Ireland. During his distinguished soccer career he played for Bohemians and although never relinquishing his amateur status, he played for Arsenal, for whom he made 14 league appearances, and Brentford while practising as a doctor in England.

He served on the Olympic Council of Ireland from 1960 to 1976 and the International Olympic Committee from 1976 to 1995. His outstanding service in that regard was recently recognised when he was honoured with the Olympic Order.

Michael O'Flanagan had a distinguished career with Lansdowne and his rugby playing activities ran in tandem with his soccer exploits for Bohemians. He played for Ireland against Scotland in the 1948 Grand Slam season and had been capped for the Republic of Ireland in the famous match against England in 1946, a match in which Kevin also played.

Michael figured in three FAI Cup finals including a replay for Bohemians and scored the winning goal against Belfast Celtic in the Inter City Cup final. He was on the Lansdowne team that won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1949.