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The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tributes pour in for Galway GAA legend Tommy Keenan after sudden passing
TRIBUTES have been pouring in following the sudden passing of Galway GAA great Tommy Keenan earlier this week. He was a key figure in Advertisement 1 Galway legend Tommy Keenan passed away suddenly earlier this week Credit: GALWAY GAA Mr Keenan was widely regarded as one of the 'Kings of the 60s' and also captained the county side to a Connacht final and an All-Ireland semi-final in 1970. He was central to Dunmore MacHales' dominance at club-level during that era. The icon helped them secure five Galway Senior Club Football Championships. After his playing days, Mr Keenan remained deeply involved in the club. Advertisement read more on gaa He took on a number of positions, including President, Secretary, and Treasurer over the years. Galway GAA confirmed the sad news of his passing on social media. A statement read: "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. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football "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." "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. Advertisement "He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the whole Galway GAA community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam." According to his death notice, Mr Keenan was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was predeceased by his daughter Eibhlín, sister Peggy, and brother Martin. He is survived by his wife Eileen, children, sons- and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, siblings, extended family, neighbours, and many friends. Advertisement Dunmore MacHales GAA also shared a heartfelt message following his passing. A post read: "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 repose at Glynn's Funeral Home in Dunmore on Friday, May 2, from 6pm, with removal to his home afterwards. F Advertisement The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, May 3, at 12 noon in the Church of Our Lady & St Nicholas, Dunmore, followed by burial at Dunmore Cemetery.
Extra.ie
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
'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: 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… — 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.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘A fantastic footballer' – Tributes to Galway GAA legend who was part of iconic three-in-a-row All-Ireland winning squad
Thomas (Tommy) Keenan passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 29. In a touching tribute on social media, Dunmore MacHales GAA said: '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, Tommy 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.' Remembering their friend, the Galway club highlighted Mr Keenan's long and successful sport career. Mr Keenan was one of 'The Kings of the Sixties'. His career started with a Hogan cup medal in 1961, and several club, Connacht and All-Ireland Final wins followed. In 1970, he captained Galway to a Connacht final victory before leading the team in the All Ireland semi-final against Meath. In 1973, he was also a key player when Dunmore beat U.C.G. to win another senior title. Mr Keenan won two All-Ireland Senior medals when part of the three-in-a-row squad and also won an All-Ireland Junior title throughout his inter-county footballing career. As he stopped playing, his passion for the sport continued and he kept contributing to Dunmore MacHales club as secretary and treasurer. Mr Keenan was also part of the management team that won the 1986 All-Ireland Minor winning Galway team. The club continued: 'Tommy's gentle manner and his gregarious nature endeared him to all who knew him. 'He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. A magnificent synchronisation of his talents occurred on a famous trip to the Aran Islands in 1967. A rematch of the classic County Final of the previous year (which Dunmore won) took place on Inishmore. Tommy scored no less than four goals in the rematch and followed that feat in an all-night ballad session where he regaled his hosts (and a travelling party of 70from Dunmore!) with song after song from his extensive repertoire. That occasion is still fondly remembered by the senior citizens of the island.' Off the field, Mr Keenan was also a family man, a noted golfer and actor, while as a long-serving principal teacher of Lavally N.S, Tommy is remembered for 'his diligence, commitment and genial personality'. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Dunmore MacHales GAA said: 'Outside of his football and professional life, Tommy was a devoted family man. He adored his wife Eileen and cherished his sons Henry, Francis, Thomas, Brian and his daughter Mary. His love for family extended to his dear brother John and sisters Mary, Sheila and Evelyn. In recent years Tommie also had the pleasure of enjoying his grandchildren. 'Everyone across Dunmore MacHales wish to express our heartfelt sympathies and support to the entire Keenan family at this sad time. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.' Many others across social media have paid tributes to Mr Keenan, remembering him not only as a 'fantastic footballer' but also as a gentleman and 'a very unassuming man'. One tribute reads: 'Tommy was a legend and a dear friend. Winner of two All-Ireland senior football medals and countless others. A very unassuming man, great company and a gentleman. He was a fantastic footballer, accomplished golfer and a superb actor. His performance in The Black Stranger was one of the best seen in Dunmore. RIP Tommy.' Another mourner wrote: 'So very sad to hear of the unexpected loss of one of Dunmore's finest. Tommy was such a lovely man. Rest in peace Tommy. A full life, well lived. My deepest condolences to Eileen, Henry, Francis, Thomas, Brian, Mary and all the family. A heartbreaking loss.' Dunmore Rugby Club shared: 'It is with great sadness that we heard of the passing of Tommy Keenan. A true gentleman and a sporting legend. Our condolences to Eileen and his family. May he rest in peace.' Funeral details are as follows: reposing at Glynn's Funeral Home, Dunmore on Friday, May 2, from 6pm, with removal at 8pm to his home. Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 12pm in The Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas, Dunmore, followed by burial in Dunmore Cemetery.
