Sporty Kate Slevin eyeing league glory with Galway

Ever since she can remember, Kate Slevin has had a strong passion for playing multiple sports.

Currently in her third year on the Galway football panel, Slevin grabbed headlines when she posted 1-07 for the Tribeswomen in their All-Ireland U16 A final victory against Kerry in 2018.

Having parents from Kilkenny ensured she also tried her hand at camogie, but another sporting code proved to be an even bigger lure for Slevin.

After shining brightly in the underage ranks of local soccer outfit Cregmore Claregalway FC, she subsequently joined Galway WFC in 2018 before eventually transferring to Athlone Town last July. There has also been international recognition along the way, with Slevin playing up to Under-19 level for the Republic of Ireland.

This very much runs in the family, as her twin sister Emma was the first Irish female gymnast to qualify for a senior all-round final at the European and World Championships, accomplishing both feats in 2021.

While moving into the elite phase of football and soccer has inevitably led to her taking on a more controlled schedule - she credits her respective coaches in this regard - Slevin was always on the go as a youngster.

"Since I can remember, I’ve always played both of them. Every week, you'd have two games in a day nearly. I just got great enjoyment out of it, playing both of them. It was good craic really," Slevin recalled.

"When you’re younger, you don’t even think about burnout. You don’t even think about injuries. You play every day and you don’t second guess it. Now that the intensity is higher and the level that you’re playing at is a higher level, you do have to think about it. It’s just communicating with your coaches and all that. If you’re not feeling 100%, you just let them