By Geordie McGuckin
The huge attendance that packed the Sacred Heart Chapel nestling on the Cargin hill paid tribute to Brian Devlin as the people came in their droves to say goodbye to a man who had earned the respect and the undoubted affection of those who came.
Brian arrived into this world in April of 1923 and was made welcome into the family home on The Hill, about a mile from Toomebridge and just a few years before what was to become his passion in life in a new unit of Cumann Luthchleas Gael was formed in the year of his birth, named Erin’s Own Cargin.
With his mother Rose, a passionate Gael’s guidance Brian, and his brothers were destined to become deeply involved in the fledgling club. Rose Devlin was known to purchase footballs to aid the club, and her sons when of age became enthusiastic playing members and very much a part of the Cargin team who were destined to reach a major milestone when they secured entry to the senior ranks when winning the junior title in 1953.
The Devlin brothers were very much a part in that success, and indeed both Brendan and Henry Devlin were to wear the Saffron jersey representing Antrim in that era.
Brian had turned his attentions to administration prior to that success on the field of play as an active member of the South West Antrim board of which he rose to post of Secretary, and in such role he was responsible for the introduction of a Schoolboys’ league for under-15s with a minor, under-18 league following a few years later.
Brian Devlin was to be a leading administrator within the ranks of the country board including taking up the role of chairman a couple of times, and indeed was very much involved in All County affairs he was to receive a Vice Presidents award.
Such was the respect gained by ‘Big Brian’ when he spoke at such gatherings you could ‘have heard a pin drop,’ all in attendance knew there would be no waffling by the big man on the topic discussed, and the message to be delivered from him was always coming from the heart and delivered directly to the point.
Brian Devlin had a deep passion for all things Irish in song and dance as well as in play and as Father Diamond noted in his homily during the funeral mass ‘Brian Devlin loved his country and all things Irish and such was the depth of his regard he never left her shores.
Having lost his wife Cecelia a few years past and his youngest son Eugene much too soon, Brian was to remain within the family circle, and well cared for over the past few years by them in failing health. Championship success gained by his sons Benedict, Paddy, and J C was well celebrated, but probably the recent accolades gained by the next generation as his grandchildren Ronan and Brian Og became champions tasted a little sweeter.
A big man with a heart to match Brian Devlin has gone to meet up again with the love of his life Cecelia, and Eugene as well as his departed family and friends and a legacy of a ‘life well lived’, he will be missed by many.
RIP Brian.
Ar dHeis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.