RIP Tommy Keane GUFC Legend

[gufct]

Tommy scored in every round of the cup run in 1991 and was MOTM in the Final.Most naturally talented player ever from Galway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTEc04mAm2Y

[Fivesilver]

Class player. Had a spell with us under Keely - tremendously skilful. RIP

[Patrick Dunne]

Talented footballer, made his last appearance at Terryland Park representing Galway United at the Eamon Deacy Testimonial match in August.

Tommy was with Bournemouth (managed by Harry Redknapp) before signing for Colchester in 1988. Returned to Galway after 19 appearances for Colchester. Had three seasons with United, also played briefly for Finn Harps and Athlone.

A very modest man who was a hero to the supporters of Galway United. RIP Tommy.

[Martinho II]

Any stats onTommy Keane lads? he must have retired very young! RIP on the loss of Tommy Keane...

[kevincronin2000]

may he rest in peace
tore our defence apart many times at turners cross.

[Patrick Dunne]

Any stats onTommy Keane lads? he must have retired very young! RIP on the loss of Tommy Keane...

114 appearances for Galway United in all competitions, 37 goals.

Reposing this evening at O'Flahertys Funeral Home, Munster Avenue, Galway (5.00pm - 7.00pm).

[Martinho II]

114 appearances for Galway United in all competitions, 37 goals.

Reposing this evening at O'Flahertys Funeral Home, Munster Avenue, Galway (5.00pm - 7.00pm).

what seasons were that for galway? and for what seasons did tommy play for the other loi clubs?

[Patrick Dunne]

1988-1991 Galway United
1991-1992 Sligo Rovers
1992-1993 Finn Harps

He subsequently signed for Athlone Town, not sure of the season. Had a brief stint back at Galway United under Don O'Riordan, but made no competitive appearances - I remember him playing in a friendly against Leicester City.

[gufct]

The following piece is taken from Sean Ryan's Official book of the FAI Cup.
"Tommy's weird feeling."

It was a year of shocks in the fai cup,with non-league clubs defeating their league brethern,but Galway united's Tommy keane had a feeling that something good was going to happen to his team. "I knew something good would happen because Joey malone,our manager was brilliant at man-management and he developed this fantastic spirit within the group"he recalled. "After our first round win against Cobh ramblers i wondered could this be our year for the cup? It was a weird sort of feeling-I cant explain it".

Keane who had been introduced to the game by Mike corbett at corrib rangers,tested Malone's management skills from the start of that season when newly signed Larry wyse was handed the number 8 jersey. I told Joey "if you dont give me number 8 im not playing". " I had to wear number 8 but i didnt know Larry liked it too". A stand-off ensued ,Joey did nothing and Larry gave the jersey to Tommy. Crisis averted the two number 8s became great friends.

Harry redknapp was an admirer of the silky skills of Keane. He spotted the Galway lad while on a pre-season tour with Bournemouth and signed him for a two year apprenticeship and then as a professional. "He was very good to young people and very helpful",recalled Keane. "After training the first team he would come across to the young players and give us advice andeven as a manager,he was still able to play. He improved my game an awful lot".
A bad knee ligament injury,which left him in plaster for nine months,halted Keane's progress at Bournemouth and after a short spell with Colchester united he returned to Galway united. Little did he know that another injury- a chipped bone in his ankle received in a youth game at Bournemouth-had not healed and he played for a further 6 years before it was properly diagnosed.

With Ashdown villa accounting for Dundalk and Derry city,Midleton knocking out cup holders Bray wanderers and Elm rovers and Portlaoise eliminating Monaghan unite and Home farm,the way was clear for a new name on the cup and Galway made the most of that oppurtunity,with Malone assigning a roaming role to Keane,the little Galwayman proceeded to wreak havoc on defences,scoring in every round of the cup leading to the final.

"When we qualified for the final, i couldnt wait to play at lansdowne road which i associated with the Irish team". "But i was never more nervous before a game as i was before that final. I was literally shaking until the first whistle blew. But,then,if i didnt get nervous i knew i wasnt going to play well. Barry murphy was marking me and he would say to me "Tommy would you ever stop running"? "But i had got into my head to keep running and knacker him out. When he started talking i knew i was getting to him". When Keane chipped goalkeeper Paul kavanagh after eleven minutes he had visions of being the first man to score in every round of the cup since Charlie ferry in 1974, but Dave connell appeared from nowhere to head clear. Stalemate ensued,and with minutes to go the announcement was made that in the event of a replay it was to be held in tolka park the following sunday. That got Keane going. "I turned to Stephen lally and Noel mernagh and said,"next time you get the ball give it to me,im not coming back for a replay". "Thirty seconds later Noel passed to me,I ran down the wing and knew where Johnny glynn would be. I crossed and he scored,exactly how we were dong it in training".

Keane was presented with the man of the match award,but in 2010 his former club West united presented him with a dvd of the game. "I had never looked at it but when i did i reckoned Pter carpenter should have got man of the match",was his candid conclusion.

[Martinho II]

I found out today that Tommy Keane played for Athlone Town in the 94-95 season.