The late Seamus Keane is being remembered as a local sporting legend and as a devoted family man and selfless community figure.
Online tributes following his sudden passing saw him described as “an icon”, a “sporting legend” and “one of life’s true gentlemen”. He was also described as a pillar of his community, a Creggs rugby legend, a GAA stalwart, and a unique sporting all-rounder.
Seamus Keane of Kilbegnet, Creggs, Co Roscommon died on December 23rd last, surrounded by his family, at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe. He was in his late 80s.
Humble in nature, modest and quiet-spoken, he was deeply respected in Creggs and the wider community, where he was involved in many organisations and groups over the decades. For many years the Keane family ran a popular pub and shop in the heart of Creggs village.
His sporting pedigree was remarkable, one friend describing him as the “quintessential old-style multi-sport athlete”.
He played Gaelic football, hurling and rugby with great distinction at club level, and was also a boxer, cyclist and athlete of considerable prowess.
At inter-county GAA level, he was a substitute on the Roscommon team that reached the All-Ireland Senior Football final in 1962, in which they were defeated by Kerry.
Extending sympathy to Seamus’ wife Madge and family, Roscommon GAA said: “Seamus had a very successful playing career with Roscommon, winning Connacht senior titles in 1961 and 1962. The 1962 team went on to reach the All-Ireland senior football final. He was a true GAA stalwart in his own Creggs GAA Club”.
Seamus’ late brother, Martin Joe represented Roscommon at senior level and won an All-Ireland U-21 title in 1966. Another brother, Johnny, who is also deceased, was a top class cyclist.
Seamus won a Roscommon SFC medal in 1960 with United Stars (an amalgamation of Creggs and Oran). They defeated Na Fianna (an amalgamation of Strokestown and Killina) in the final.
He hurled with Creggs in the junior championship of ‘67 but they lost out to Creagh. Seamus later began hurling with Tremane where he won four County Senior Hurling Championships, the first in 1968, followed by a treble in ‘72/‘73/’74.
He also starred with Creggs Rugby Club. Both Creggs RFC and Creggs GAA Club have extended sympathies to his family.
Paying tribute, Creggs Rugby Club said: “Seamus was a unique person who excelled at many sports during a long career including being a champion boxer, cyclist, hurler and Gaelic footballer and also as a formidable prop and second row for Creggs Rugby Club”.
In a statement posted online last week, Creggs RFC added: “Seamus played as a prop forward in Creggs’ first ever rugby match which was played just short of 50 years ago on December 29 1974.
“He won his first Connacht Junior Cup rugby medal with Creggs in 1978 and was also a member of the cup winning team of 1981. He also played on the team which defeated Ballina in the 1979 Connacht Junior league final, just one week after the same Ballina team had won the Connacht Senior Cup.
“Seamus had great natural strength which combined with his innate football skill making him a towering presence on the rugby field.
“Seamus was also a great family man. Seamus will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. In addition to being a top class sportsman Seamus was a true gentleman, who touched the lives of many people and leaves us with great memories on and off the field. May he now rest in peace”.
Creggs GAA Club also paid tribute: “Seamus was a sporting giant in every sense of the word, an all-round sportsman and a Creggs GAA stalwart.
“To list all his sporting achievements and accomplishments is almost impossible. Seamus excelled in many sporting arenas… he won Junior Football Championships with Creggs in 1956 and ‘67, and played at centrefield on the famous United Stars combination that won the Senior Championship in 1960.
“Seamus also represented Roscommon on many occasions and won Connacht senior medals with Roscommon in 1961 and ‘62.
“Seamus had many great days on the hurling field with Tremane, winning championships in 1972, ‘73 and ’74.
“In addition to his playing success Seamus made a remarkable contribution to the development of our club by serving as chairman for over 40 years”.
The late Seamus Keane was also talented in the field of amateur drama and was a long-time member of Kilbegnet Drama Group, which posted this message: “Our sincere condolences to Madge and family on the death of Seamus who was an inspiration to us all. His enthusiasm and his ability to learn his lines so quickly was unbelievable. Seamus will be greatly missed by us all. May he rest in peace”.
His extensive community involvement included serving as Chairman of Kilbegnet Historical Society for many years.
The late Seamus Keane is mourned by his loving wife Madge, sons Robert, James, Karol and Daniel, daughters Caitríona, Rosanna and Sarah, sisters Rosaleen and Beetie (Sr Francine), extended family and a large circle of friends.
After reposing at Smyth’s Funeral Home, Roscommon on Thursday (St Stephen’s Day), Removal from his home took place on Friday morning, arriving to St Mary’s Church, Kilbegnet for Mass of the Resurrection. Burial followed in Kilbegnet Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
*Thanks for assistance with this article to Creggs RFC, Creggs GAA, and Tony Conboy.
