Death of a cherished Offaly sporting personality

The death has taken place of one of Offaly's favourite personalties, Pat Keenan, a former distinguished Offaly footballer.

A native of the Gracefield side of Portarlington, a long time resident in Mucklagh, he made an indelible contribution to life in both his native area and adopted home.

While he remained a very proud Gracefield man throughout his life and his love of that area never left him, he was a hugely popular and respected individual in Mucklagh, where he lived for decades, and surrounding areas.

Known far and wide as “Birdie”, he was a great servant to Gracefield, during a fantastic time for them, winning an Offaly SFC medal in 1970 and 1972 and the first Leinster club in '70.

He was a very good Gracefield and Offaly footballer in the 1960s and '70s. He played at wing forward in the 1969 All-Ireland SFC final loss to Kerry and won Leinster SFC medals in 1969 and '73. Offaly also lost to Kerry in the home National Football League final in 1969 and while he didn't play in that, he had played in earlier rounds.

He was on the Offaly panel early in 1971 but missed out on the All-Ireland title winning campaigns in '71 and '72. He lifted the Leinster cup as captain in 1973 – at the time, the club champions had the right to nominate the county team captain and Gracefield had won in '72.

He made his senior football debut for Offaly in a 1968 championship win over Louth – while he made his name as a forward, he was wing back in his earliest games for Offaly - and his last game was the All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Galway in 1973. He was unlucky not to have All-Ireland medals in his collection, one of the many good players that just missed out in that great era.

He played at corner forward in the traumatic 1970 Leinster final loss to Meath when Offaly coughed up a twelve point lead early in the second half.

Pat Keenan played two league games in February and March 1971 as they drew with Kerry and Kildare but his next appearance was not until the 1973 league and he held his place throughout that championship campaign - he was wing forward with in the '73 Leinster final demolition of Meath.

He was a very fast and skilful player, a real speed merchant and he was unlucky in the 1969 All-Ireland final loss to Kerry when his shot hit the woodwork.

He had a great all round interest in sport. He played soccer with Mucklagh for a number of years after moving into the area and he took a keen interest in the fortunes of the local GAA club. He was a selector for the Shamrocks team that was pipped by Tullamore in the 2000 Senior Football Championship final.

He was a keen golfer for several years, a member of Tullamore Golf Club. He greatly enjoyed his weekly round of golf with locals from Mucklagh, the time on the course and the craic and banter about it afterwards.

A long time employee with Telecom Eireann, he was a great sociable character with a great way about him and a word for everyone. He had a great sense of humour, a gentle way that endeared him to all. He enjoyed a sociable pint and the whole scene and fun, the entertaining use of nicknames, with locals in Kelly's of Mucklagh.

He retained a lifelong passion for GAA and was a very proud man when his grandson Oisin Keenan Martin was outstanding as Offaly won the All-Ireland U-20 Football Championship in 2021 and Tullamore took the Senior Football Championship in 2021 and 2023.

He was personable, engaging company and was also a proud and dedicated Fianna Fail activist, canvassing for them in local and general elections for years.

He made a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing him and will be very sadly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Ann, family Sinéad, Nodhlaig, Aine, Padraig and Máirtín, sister Celene (London), sons-in-law Padraig, Shane and Colin, daughter-in-law Niamh, grandchildren Oisín, Fionn, Tadhg, Hannah, Jack, Isobel, Christopher, Louis, Edward, Harry, Samuel, Patrick, Grace and Cree, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

He is reposing at his residence (eircode R35 AY28) on Wednesday afternoon from 2pm with Rosary at 8pm. Removal on Thursday morning at 11:20am arriving St Coleman's Church, Mucklagh for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Interment afterwards in the adjoining New Cemetery.