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Tommy Keenan (Gaelic footballer)

Thomas Keenan (1944 – 29 April 2025) was an Irish Gaelic football coach and player. At club level, he played with Dunmore MacHales, and at inter-county level with the Galway senior football team.

Playing career

Keenan played Gaelic football at all grades as a student at St Jarlath's College in Tuam. He was part the of the college's senior team that won the Connacht Colleges SFC title in 1961, before later claiming the Hogan Cup title after a 2-08 to 1-08 win over St Mel's College.[1][2]

At club level, Keenan first played for the Dunmore MacHales at juvenile and underage levels, before progressing to the club's senior team. He won five Galway SFC medals between 1963 and 1973.[3] Keenan also won a Connacht Club SFC medal when Dunmore claimed the inaugural title in 1966.[4]

Keenan first played for Galway at inter-county level as a member of the under-21 team that won back-to-back Connacht U21FC titles in 1964 and 1965.[5][6] He progressed to the senior team and was a substitute on the All-Ireland SFC-winning teams in 1964 and 1965, alongside his brother John.[7] Keenan captained Galway to the Connacht SFC title in 1970.[8]

Management career

In retirement from playing, Keenan became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector with the Galway minor team that beat Coark by 2-08 to 1-07 to win the All-Ireland MFC title in 1986.[9]

Death

Keenan died on 29 April 2025, at the age of 81.[10]

Honours

St Jarlath's College
Dunmore MacHales
Galway

References

  1. ^ "Connacht title for St. Jarlath's". Western People. 18 March 1961. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Late but certain victory for St. Jarlath's". Connacht Tribune. 22 April 1961. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Club titles - Limerick". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Dunmore MacHales come good late on to claim Connacht IFC title". Irish Examiner. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Galway win under-21 Connacht final". Connacht Tribune. 22 August 1964. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Mayo almost foiled Tribesmen in under-21 thriller". The Mayo News. 31 July 1965. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  7. ^ "'A fantastic footballer' – Tributes to Galway GAA legend who was part of iconic three-in-a-row All-Ireland winning squad". Irish Independent. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  8. ^ "40th anniversary of Galway Minor football team's stunning All-Ireland Final victory over Kerry". The Tuam Herald. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Galway GAA tributes for former county captain as sporting world mourns 'key player'". Galway Beo. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Tommy Keenan RIP". Galway GAA website. Retrieved 5 May 2025.