'Cloud of sadness' as tributes paid to Galway GAA legend Tommy Keenan
Tributes have been paid to Galway GAA legend Tommy Keenan after he passed away suddenly this week.
Mr Keenan played Gaelic Football at both club and county level, tasting success with the Tribesmen with two All-Ireland medals as part of the county's three-peat in the 1960s — being dubbed one of the five 'Kings of the 60s' for his effort. He also captained the squad to a Connacht final, and All-Ireland semi-final in 1970.
He was also heavily involved in his club Dunmore MacHales, being a key player of the team that won five Galway Senior Club titles in the 60s, as well as serving as President, Secretary and Treasurer of the club among other roles. Tributes have been paid to Galway GAA legend Tommy Keenan after he passed away suddenly this week. Pic: RIP.ie
Galway GAA confirmed Mr Keenan's passing in a statement on Twitter (X), saying 'Is údar mór brón do CLG na Gaillimhe an scéala go bhfuil ár n-iar imreoir Contae Tommy Keenan imithe ar shlí na firínne.
'The Dunmore MacHales club man tasted success with Galway, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football medals as part of the three in a row squad of 1960s. In 1970, he captained Galway to a Connacht final victory before leading the team in the All-Ireland semi-final against Meath.
'Tommy was a key player with the Dunmore MacHales team that won five Galway Senior Club Football titles in the 1960s. He had a lifelong involvement in the GAA, serving as President, Secretary and Treasurer of his club Dunmore MacHales, as well as fulfilling many other roles in the club as both player and administrator over a long and distinguished career.'
Tommy Keenan RIP 🕯️Is údar mór brón do CLG na Gaillimhe an scéala go bhfuil ár n-iar imreoir Contae Tommy Keenan imithe ar shlí na firínne.
The Dunmore MacHales club man tasted success with Galway, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football medals as part of the three in a row… pic.twitter.com/GztJVkUqK0 — Galway GAA Official (@Galway_GAA) May 1, 2025
'On behalf of Galway GAA, we express our deepest sympathies to his wife Eileen, daughter Mary, sons Henry, Francis, Thomas and Brian, in-laws, grandchildren, his sisters Mary, Evelyn and Sheila, his brother John and extended family,' the county continued. 'He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the whole Galway GAA community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.'
Mr Keenan's death notice reads that he is a beloved husband, devoted father and cherished grandfather, who was predeceased by his baby daughter Eibhlín, sister Peggy and brother Martin.
He is 'forever missed and lovingly remembered by his heartbroken wife Eileen, daughter Mary, sons Henry, Francis, Thomas and Brian, his daughters-in-law, son-in-law, adored grandchildren, his sisters Mary, Evelyn and Sheila, his brother John and extended family, kind neighbours and a wide circle of friends.' Dunmore MacHales also paid tribute to Mr Keenan following his passing, saying that there's a 'cloud of sadness' over the club. Pic: Dunmore MacHales GAA/Facebook
Dunmore MacHales also paid tribute to him, writing 'There is a cloud of sadness in our Dunmore MacHales football community, when the shock news came on Tuesday night that one of our great and revered icons and Club President, Tommie Keenan had died suddenly, leaving a void, not only for his beautiful family but for all of us who knew and loved him in the town he lived in all his life.
'Everyone across Dunmore MacHales wish to express our heartfelt sympathies and support to the entire Keenan family at this sad time.'
Mr Keenan will be reposing at Glynn's Funeral Home in Dunmore on Friday, May 2 from 6pm, with removal to his home afterward.
Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday (May 3) at 12 noon in the Church of Our Lady & St Nicholas, Dunmore. Burial afterwards at Dunmore Cemetery.
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