The late, great Tony Keady was one of many past pupils of Presentation Athenry to excel at inter-county level for Galway.
By Cian O'Connell
Tony Keady's exploits in the maroon and white Galway jersey will never be forgotten.
An All Ireland winner in 1987 and 1988, Keady was laid to rest last Sunday, a week after attending Galway's thrilling Semi-Final success over Tipperary.
"It was very poignant," Galway manager Mícheal Donoghue admits.
"From our own perspective, we came away from Croke Park after winning a semi-final. By Tuesday, hearing the news Tony had taken ill, it put a lot of things into perspective.
"Our immediate thoughts will go to Margaret, Shannon, Anthony, Jake and Harry. It puts a huge sense of perspective into it."
Donoghue acknowledged the significant role Keady played in the Galway hurling story. "Tony was first and foremost a husband and a father, and of course everyone remembers him for his hurling and the way he carried himself every time he played with Galway," Donoghue says.
"The last week has been very humbling because of the outpouring of emotion in Oranmore; his own club, Killimordaly, and nationwide. It’s just been remarkable and testament to the man."
Keady trained the Ahascragh-Fohenagh club this year and also was previously involved at Under 21 level as a coach with Galway.
"Within our own group, he has touched a lot of fellas in terms of coaching," Donoghue states.
"He was with the Ahascragh club, with Cathal and Padraig (Mannion). From my own playing experience, he coached us for years as well.
"He touched many lives. The way he carried himself and how he represented himself with Galway, has shone through for the last week.
"From our perspective, our first thing is to extend condolences to the family and I think the greatest thing we can do now is push on to try to wear that jersey in the honour that he did. That’s all we can do."
