THE 15,000 crowd who attended former hurling star Tony Keady’s funeral in Oranmore, Co. Galway was a measure of how many lives the former Tribesman touched inside and outside the sport he loved.
Keady will be remembered by most as a legend of the sport, his unrelenting skill, physicality and passion helping Galway to consecutive All-Ireland titles in 1987 and 1988.
He was also named Hurler of the Year in 1988 after Galway retained their title against Tipperary.
But the precocious Gael who began his inter-county career as a 16-year-old for the Galway minors in 1980 will be remembered as a kind and caring family man with a sharp wit.
Tributes rang in from the GAA community following the 53-year-old’s sudden passing at Galway University Hospital.
The previous Sunday, he had attended Croke Park with his family and witnessed the Galway minor and senior victories.
A minute's silence was held for Tony Keady ahead of the SHC semi-final between Cork and Waterford (INPHO/Ryan Byrne)Former Galway hurling manager, Cyril Farrell, who managed Mr Keady in the late 1980s, told RTÉ Radio: "This character was bigger than life and so fit and strong and the last person that you looked at that you could think this could happen to, but that's life."
Mr Keady’s 15-year old daughter, Shannon, summarised at his funeral in Church of The Immaculate Conception in Oranmore how one of the greatest hurlers of all time was a wonderful father.
“Dad is my idol and the great centre-back of all time. He was a warrior and a legend on the pitch but a bigger legend off it,” she said.
“This exact time last week I was sitting on his knee in Croke Park eating Jelly Tots. Dad had them all separated so I would get the purple and red ones.”
Mr Keady was caretaker at Calasanctius College in Oranmore where some of his children are students.
He was actively involved in coaching at the school as well as with his local club Oranmore-Maree.
His iconic white helmet was brought to the altar by former teammate Gerry McInerney at his funeral.
Mr Keady is survived by his wife Maragret and four children.
Tony Keady – Born December 5, 1963, died August 9, 2017
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