Fermanagh hurling manager Joe Baldwin has paid tribute to Mark Slevin who announced his retirement from inter county hurling after a “phenomenal” 18 year career.

The Lisbellaw hurler called time with Fermanagh and certainly goes out on a high having picked up his second Lory Meagher medal in Croke Park last season with victory over Cavan.

Baldwin was effusive in his praise of “gentle giant” Slevin.

“He came up last Friday night and he shook my hand and shook hands with the rest of the management team and he thanked us for what we had done.

“He has been playing inter county hurling for 18 years and that is a phenomenal record for anybody.

“His last game for Fermanagh was in Croke Park where he won a second Lory Meagher so there is probably no better time to go out of the game.

“Mark owes Fermanagh hurling nothing.”

The length of time Slevin has been about the squad can be seen, Baldwin says, in the fact that some of the younger hurlers are only turning 18!

Making his debut in 2003, Slevin has seen the highs and lows of Fermanagh hurling, and one thing Baldwin has seen since he took over, is Slevin’s desire to give his best for the team no matter where he played.

“In my time I have actually played him at six, five, 10, 12 and 14. It goes to show you the contribution he has made and wherever we have played him he has always give his all and given his best.

“I have only asked two things of the boys for their best and their honesty and I can honestly say that Mark Slevin is one of the most honest players that you would have met.”

The Fermanagh manager looks back on the 2021 season and the impact Mark made: “When you think back to last year there are a couple of moments when Mark picked out a score for us.

“I remember in the Cavan game in the first round of the championship he picked out a score that sort of came against the run of play and it was inspirational and it gave the boys a lift.”

Baldwin said Slevin will continue with Lisbellaw and will continue to support the county: “He is going to continue to play for Lisbellaw and he won’t walk away from the game and that is a credit to the man he is.

“I just want to wish Mark and his family all the very best and we know we’ll see him in the stand at games.

“Certainly when we go out against Cavan in the first game of the National League we will have extra incentive for Mark Slevin.”