Tributes flow after passing of former Cavan GAA chairman Brendan Keaney

Tributes have been paid after the passing of former Cavan county board chairman Brendan Keaney this week.

A GAA man through and through, Brendan was a member of the Cavan Gaels team which captured the club’s first ever senior football championship title in 1965.

He served as chairman of the Terry Coyle Park club during the 1970s and also managed the Gaels to SFC glory in 1975, with two more titles in to come in 1977 and 1978 during a golden era for the club.

Later years would see Brendan becoming immersed in Killygarry GAA, managing their senior team in the 1980s and going on to become chairman of the club during the 2000s.

It was during his time with Killygarry that he was first elected to the county board as Registrar in 1980 (a position he held for three years) and he’d go on to serve in roles as Development Officer (1984-1989), Vice-Chairman (1990-1992) and Chairman (1993-1999).

20 years after his chairmanship ended, Brendan would be elected as honorary president of the county board in recognition of his many years of voluntary service.

He passed away on Tuesday, with is funeral mass taking place two days later at Cathedral of SS Patrick and Felim.

In a tribute to its former chairman and honorary president, Cavan GAA posted: “Brendan worked tirelessly for the GAA in whatever role he filled and his honesty and forthrightness were always foremost.

“He was a passionate Cavan man and everything he did was for the betterment of the GAA for club and county and for that he will be especially remembered by players, fellow officers, supporters and his many friends throughout Cavan. In 2019 he was elected as honorary President of Cavan Co Board in recognition of his many years of voluntary service.

“The officers of Cavan County extend deepest sympathies to his wife Patricia, sons Damien and Cathal, daughters Olivia, Therese and Fiona, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and extended family members. Brendan was predeceased by his son-in-law Kevin Smith in 2022.

“Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

It is with sadness that we as a club and community inform you of the death of Brendan Keaney

On behalf of Castlerahan GAA, we wish to extend our sympathies and condolences to the Keaney family on the passing of Brendan. pic.twitter.com/KF538M65Ka

— Castlerahan GAA (@Castlerahan_GAA) May 14, 2025

https://t.co/NJNyOYyPdp pic.twitter.com/8qkRy990Eo

— Killeshandra GAA (@KilleshandraGaa) May 14, 2025