Emo’s Golden Generation: The Michael Slevin Effect Driving Rounders Glory

There’s something very special happening in Emo right now. Across all underage grades, the club is dominating the national Rounders scene — and at the heart of it all is one man: Michael Slevin.

The numbers speak for themselves. Seven All-Ireland titles already secured in 2025 — including U14, U15 and U16 Girls, U13 Féile Boys, and U14, U15 and U16 Boys — with four more still up for grabs in the Minor grades and U16 Mixed. It’s a staggering haul that no other club in the country can match.

But this success hasn’t happened by accident. It’s the result of years of dedication, structure, and relentless work, much of it driven by Slevin. From chilly spring evenings to long summer sessions, he’s been the consistent force behind the scenes — coaching, guiding, and leading by example.

A big part of Emo’s strength lies in the coaching team Michael has built around him. JP Tynan, Claire Suda, and Niamh Horgan are all central to the underage coaching effort, while Eva Lawlor has also played a big role in previous seasons. It’s not a case of separate coaches for separate teams — instead, it’s a collective effort, with parents and volunteers stepping in depending on their own kids’ ages. That shared responsibility, camaraderie, and teamwork among coaches has been vital. It creates consistency across all age groups and a strong community bond that shines through on the pitch.

“Also one of the main reasons for our underage success is the kids’ willingness to listen and learn,” Michael says.
“They take instruction on board and are a joy to coach. They’ve travelled all around the country playing Rounders and always play with a steely determination — but they also accept that they can lose matches too.”

Slevin is also quick to recognise the work done off the pitch.

“Our parents must be thanked for sacrificing many weekends to travel to matches,” he adds.
“Without that support, none of this would be possible.”

On the field, Slevin’s influence is clear. He’s helped create an environment where young players learn, improve, and enjoy the game. The results are obvious: disciplined fielding, clever batting, quick decision-making — and an unshakeable sense of togetherness.

Looking ahead, the club’s ambitions are crystal clear.

“Our main goal is to bring through as many underage players as possible into the adult ranks,” says Slevin.
“We’ve six or seven youngsters eligible for adult next year, with similar numbers in the years ahead.
The hope is they’ll take ownership of the club, drive it forward, and eventually send old dinosaurs like myself out to pasture —
or at least onto the sidelines, happily cheering them on.”

With four more All-Irelands still to play for, this could yet be a once-in-a-lifetime season for Emo. But win or lose from here, one thing is certain: Michael Slevin’s vision, drive, and ability to bring people with him has built something truly special in Emo — and the best may still be yet to come.