Slattery, Kevin
May 10, 2010Kevin Slattery, hurling enthusiast and member of Na Piarsaigh GAA Club, passed away suddenly on May 10 at the age of 41 but touched many lives in Ireland and the UK during his lifetime.
A native of O'Dwyer Villas in Thomondgate, Kevin emigrated to England as a young man, leaving behind a great sporting legacy
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The eldest son of Seamus and Maeve Slattery, Kevin had a strong passion for hurling and spent every evening as a boy out pucking a sliotar around.
When he was a pupil in Corbally's Scoil Ide, teacher Joe Naughton gave him an early start in hurling, which Kevin continued as a teenager in St Nessan's College.
Among his many achievements he won medals at under 12, 14, 16, minor and U21 and was named Under 16 Sports Star of the Year in 1985.
Kevin's brother Simon said at his funeral: "Kevin had the slightest of touches. A quick flick of the wrist and the ball was in his hand and away he was gone. He had a great engine and his ground hurling was a joy to behold."
It was a source of pride for Kevin that between himself, his brothers and father, they won a total of 20 county medals.
Simon added that it was great to see Na Piarsaigh's flag on Kevin's coffin, while his old Na Piarsaigh mentors and team mates formed a guard of honour at the funeral.
He recalled being told as child by the mentors at Na Piarsaigh that if he and Niall practiced hard enough, "they might, just might, be as good as Kevin was".
A story that Kevin often told was of his encounter with former inter-county hurler Leonard Enright, during a junior match against Patrickswell.
Ar one point, when the 16-stone Enright pushed his weight against Kevin- who weighted only 10 stone- Father Tom came to the rescue.
Simon added: "Kevin always believed that Father Tom tangling with Leonard Enright that evening was probably the nearest thing to Riverdance that he had ever seen on a hurling field. Father Tom, Kevin was former grateful for your divine assistance that day."
On top of hurling, Kevin was proud of telling his friends in London that he was from Limerick, the home of Munster rugby. He also remained a devoted Nottingham Forest fan his whole life and read many books about manager Brian Clough.
At the age of 21, Kevin set out for Brighton and slept on the floor of his cousin Robert Lowe, whom he remained good friends with for the rest of his life.
He then moved to Islington in North London and found accommodation with landlady Mary Lynsie, where he stayed for the next 15 years. Simon said the she treated Kevin like one of her own family and that she was heartbroken to hear of his passing.
As an employee of Islington Council, Kevin would clean the streets of his neighbourhood every weekday from 5am to 2pm and loved his job out in the fresh air.
He believed that of all man's inventions, the mobile phone was the greatest and he rang home three times a week.
"For such a quiet guy he was the greatest man I ever knew for a bit of news. His visits and calls home will be sadly missed by all the family," simon said.
A mass was held last Friday for Kevin in his local Catholic church in Islington, where a huge amount of people turned up to share mass with Simon and Niall, including Kevin's landlady, her family and his good friends Old Kevin and Paul.
"It was very moving for Niall and I to see that Kevin's life had touched these people and that they shared a love for him just as we did," Simon said.
At the end of Kevin's funeral mass, Simon extended a special thanks to Fr Johnny Daly, Fr Tom, Fr Brendan and Fr Seevers who celebrated the mass.
He also thanked brother-in-law Stephen for all his assistance in arranging for Kevin's return home from London.
Simon said of Kevin: "Our world will be a sadder colder and lonelier place without you in it. You will be forever in our hearts, minds, thoughts and prayers. Kev, if you are being loved half as much in heaven and you are here on earth, then you have gone to a very good place. Rest in peace, brother."
Kevin Slattery is sadly missed by his parents Seamus and Maeve, sister Carmel, brothers Niall and Simon, nieces Stacey, Ali, Meghan, Amy and Orla, brother-in-law Mike, sister-in-law Nikki and his many friends at home and abroad. Kevin's requiem mass was held in St Munchin's Church and he was buried in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.
Kevin Slattery: born March 10 1969, died May 10 2010
By Kevin Cronin
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader
5th June 2010 Tweet
