In his youth Michael won many medals running in 800m and 1,500m events but hurling was his great love. He won North Kerry minor medals in 1958 and 1959, and a North Kerry Senior Championship in 1961 for his native Ballyduff.
During his time in London, Michael helped form the Kingdom Hurling Club - and he won championships in 1964, 1965 and 1969 - with his cousin 'Black' Mike Diggin (RIP), Fongo Diggin, Donie Kelly, Thomas Sheehan, Sean Laide (RIP), Brendan Purcell, Denis Enright (RIP) and Anthony Sullivan, his brother Tim; all Ballyduff men, creating a force to be reckoned with.
Like so many of his generation, Michael emigrated to London to find work and it was there he met Rita Sullivan. After they married, they became the proud parents of six children - two girls and four boys - Sharon, Amanda, John, Mike, Steve, Danny and Garry.
Michael liked nothing better than coming home every year to the Cashen for fishing and in his later years greyhounds were his sport where he had many a good one. Michael is survived by his wife Rita, sons Michael, Danny, Stephen and Garry, daughters Amanda and Sharon, brothers Timmy and Stephen, sister Mary, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, fourteeen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Requiem mass took place on Monday, September 16th, in the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and St Thomas of Canterbusy, Kingsthrope, Northampton, followed by burial afterwards in Dallington Cemetery, Northampton.

Kerry's Eye, 17th October 2013 Tweet

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