Funeral of GAA player to take place on Tuesday

The funeral service will take place at St Mary’s Church in Tamnaherin at 12pm.

Kevin’s Slaughtmanus GAA teammates formed a guard of honour outside the local pitch as the 22-year-old’s remains were brought home on Sunday following a post-mortem.

There has been an outpouring of tributes since Kevin died suddenly on Thursday night.

It is understood he was there with friends at an indoor soccer match in Campsie and had taken up position as goalkeeper when he collapsed just minutes into the game. Kevin was a player with Slaughtmanus Gaelic Athletic Club and it is understand that around six months ago he stopped playing as a temporary measure due to a health issue.

Speaking on Friday, Edward Deery, chairman of Slaughtmanus GAC, who knew Kevin since he was a young boy, said that everyone was devastated at the loss of such a well-thought of young man and such a talented player.

“He was a good character, a nice, modest, well brought up sort of boy and everybody enjoyed spending time with him,” Mr Deery said. “He had a good personality and was a good fit.

“Kevin was an outstanding underage player and as a senior player as well, although he had the health issues. His playing career has been excellent, he was the sort of a boy who would have attended County training a few times, that’s the level he was at.”

The board of Derry Gaelic Athletic Association meanwhile said that the loss of Kevin was “keenly felt” throughout the GAA Community.

In a statement, Derry GAA said: “A talented footballer and a former member of our U21 panel, Kevin’s loss will be keenly felt throughout the local GAA community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin’s family, friends and all at St Mary.”