Dungannon and Tyrone Gaels gathered in O’Neill’s Park on Friday 3rd June to dedicate the main stand to the Memory of Dessie Slater. On a beautiful summers evening Dean Colum Curry celebrated an outdoor Mass in the” Dessie Slater Stand “, and in his homily spoke movingly of how Dessie devoted his life to his wife Kathleen, to his love of the GAA and Dungannon Clarkes and to the Parish of Dungannon. Club chairman Chris Rafferty spoke of how honoured the club were to name the stand after such a stalwart like Dessie and Tyrone County chairman Ciaran McLaughlin described how Dessie was an inspiration to us all. Art McRory recalled how Dessie had helped the Tyrone teams behind the scenes back in the eighties and nineties and that Dessie still holds the honour of being the only referee to be in charge of 3 consecutive senior county finals. Finally Dessies’ brother Patsy thanked the club on behalf of the family and presented Dessie’s referees jersey from the ’91 final to the club where it will be displayed in the Iggy Jones Room. Refreshments were served afterwards in the Iggy Jones Room where the large crowd recalled fond memories of Dessie. Dungannon Clarkes would like to thank Kathleen Slater and the entire Slater family, Dean Colum Curry, the Tyrone County Board, Declan McGrath and his family for the lovely music and everyone who helped to make this such a special occasion.

View Tyrone Times article on Dessie

View The Democrats article on Dessie

View A Tribute to Dessie Slater

 

County Chairman Ciaran McLaughlin says a few words about Dessie

Patsy Slater speaking on behalf of the Slater Family

Chairman Chris Rafferty unveils Dessies Plaque

Part of the large crowd celebrating an outdoor Mass

James Slater and son, Patsy Slater, Kathleen Slater and Chris Rafferty being presented with Dessie's 91 county final jersey

Patsy and Chris