Home-town challenge

MARK FLANAGAN: facing another Friday-night clash - this time against the team he watched as a boy.

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Dream tie for Flanagan against team of his roots
ST Helens loose forward Mark Flanagan has plenty of reasons to shine for a second Friday night clash in a row.

Having swapped the sun-drenched beaches of Sydney for life back in the wet North-West, the rising Oldham-born star is pulled even closer to his roots when Saints take on the club he supported growing up.

The 24-year-old, son of former Oldham RL and Great Britain star Terry, ran in a try in last week’s 62-0demolition of Widnes in round 12 of Stobart Super League.

To do so again against the Roughyeds on Friday night at Langtree Park (8pm kick-off) in the Carnegie Challenge Cup, he will first have to get the better of his former Halifax colleague and sometime Saddleworth Rangers coaching buddy, full-back Miles Greenwood.
“About five minutes after the draw I was inundated with text messages,” said Flanagan, who knows another local Roughyeds recruit, winger Shaun Robinson and ex-Fax colleague Paul Smith.

“When I found out I was really excited. I have got a big soft spot for Oldham. Obviously my dad has big connections there

“It will be a special occasion for me. Oldham were a team that I grew up as a kid loving to watch, so I always count them as a big team.”



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