There was widespread regret and sadness throughout the county at the passing of Brendan Keaney, a former chairman of Cavan County Board GAA. Brendan made an outstanding contribution to the GAA in Cavan at club and county level. His first club was Cavan Gaels and he was a member of the Gaels team that won their first senior championship in 1965 in what was a breakthrough year for a club formed just eight years earlier. During the 1970s Brendan served as club chairman. This was a glorious decade for the Gaels and further senior championship successes followed in 1975, 1977 and 1978. Brendan was team-manager for the victory in 1975.
In later years Brendan became closely involved with the Killygarry club where he lived and he served as team-manager during the 1980s and club chairman during the noughties. He represented the club initially at County Board meetings and in 1980 he was elected onto the Board taking up the position of Registrar (1980-1983). Other officerships followed including Development Officer (1984-1989), Vice-Chairman (1990-1992), and Chairman (1993-1999). When Brendan was chairman he asked Martin McHugh to take on the position of Cavan team-manager in the autumn of 1994. Martin was appointed and he turned out to be an inspired choice and the rest is history. He led Cavan to a memorable victory in 1997 when they defeated Derry in the Ulster final. Brendan was also heavily involved in the development of Breffni Park and he was to the forefront of many progressive improvements at the venue which helped to turn the Park into the fabulous stadium that it is today.
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.
