Ned Nevin left a lasting legacy

THE death occurred on Monday 16 September in Toronto, Canada of Edward (Ned) Nevin, a native of Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow.

Ned, one of the last surviving members of the Leighlin All Blacks team that won the Carlow Senior Football Championship in 1957, passed away following an illness.

He was born on 19 July 1937, the second-youngest of ten children to Edward and Kate (née Conran) Nevin of Carlow Road, Leighlinbridge.

He received his early education at Leighlinbridge National School and later attended Carlow Vocational School. He displayed an early talent for Gaelic football, being a key member of the Leighlinbridge under-16 team that won the first county championship in that grade.

In 1955, Ned joined Carlow sugar factory as an apprentice fitter, where he completed his training. However, it was his sporting achievements that brought him local fame. In 1957, at just 19 years’ old, he was the youngest member of the Leighlin All Blacks team that claimed the Carlow Senior Football Championship with victory over The Gaels. He played at full-forward and was known for his skill and determination.

The following year, in recognition of his talent, Ned was named captain of the Carlow senior team. In addition to his football prowess, he played at centre-back for the Leighlin hurling team, where he was admired for his ability to field the sliotar and his fearless approach.

He also played a central role in both the Cosets football and hurling teams, representing the workforce of Carlow sugar factory, competing in the high-standard Leinster Inter-Firms football and hurling leagues.

In the early 1960s, Ned married Phyllis Sharpe from Milford, Carlow in St Joseph's Church, Tinryland. In 1961, he left the sugar factory to work for the newly-established Potez aircraft manufacturing plant on the Naas Road in Dublin.

He later spent a short time working for the Ford Motor Company in England, and following the birth of their son David, the family emigrated to Toronto, Canada. There he worked with an engineering company in a role that saw him travel extensively across North and South America.

In Toronto, he continued his dedication to Gaelic football, establishing and playing for St Patrick’s GFC in the northern Toronto area. He was the first club’s first chairperson and spread the love of the sport in his new home.

He also occasionally played Gaelic football for Cavan in New York, travelling from Toronto to represent the 'Breffni Blues'.

Outside of Gaelic games, Ned pursued a passion for kart racing, competing in local events around Carlow, and later developed a keen interest in car racing, which he continued to enjoy after moving to Toronto. His love for motor racing was a lifelong passion and he attended many Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix races.

Despite living abroad, Ned maintained a deep connection with his home village of Leighlinbridge. He made several trips back to visit his family, including his brother Martin, the well-known local historian and author.

Always eager to keep up with communication advancements, Ned kept in weekly contact via Skype video calls and enjoyed conversations with Martin, often lasting hours while he kept up to date on the goings on in his native village.

Always kind and generous, Ned was well known for his hospitality to those from Carlow and beyond who emigrated to Toronto over the years.

Ned’s contribution to Gaelic games are fondly remembered in Carlow GAA circles and beyond. A tribute was paid to him in the match programme for the recent Carlow Senior and Junior ‘A’ Football Championship games played on 6 October.

The tribute noted the strong footballing legacy of the Nevin family in Leighlinbridge, highlighting the parallels between Ned and his nephew Johnny Nevin, both of whom played centre-back in hurling and forward in football. It also referenced the contributions of other family members to the club, including Ned’s brother Martin, who co-authored the history of the Leighlin All Blacks in 1988.

Ned's footballing legacy remains strong and it was poignant and fitting that both his grandnephew Cian Kavanagh and great-grandnephew Conor De Lacey featured on the Leighlin All Blacks team playing in the Junior A final that day.

The funeral Mass for Ned was held in the Chapel of St Joseph in Toronto on Monday 23 September, followed by a private cremation.

His brother Martin and nephew Edmund travelled from Carlow and niece Gillian came from Chicago to attend the service.

Members of the St Pat’s Gaelic Football Club, the GAA club Ned founded, formed a guard of honour in his memory.

Ned is survived by his wife Phyllis, son David, daughters Philomena and Alexandra, daughter-in-law Dana, sons-in-law Darryl and Manfred, his cherished grandchildren Connor, Courtney, Cayden, Cuinn, Cruz, Ashley, Dillon, Briony and Nevin, as well as his brother Martin and extended family in Ireland and Canada.

He was predeceased by his siblings Kitty, Tommy, Mickey, Jackie, Nellie, Peggy, Betty and Breda.

Ned Nevin will be fondly remembered for his love of family, sporting achievements, dedication to the GAA, warm welcome to emigrants and his enduring connection to his native and much beloved Leighlinbridge.