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Funeral takes place of Irish rugby legend

Funeral takes place of Irish rugby legend

The funeral has taken place of Irish rugby legend Moss Keane.

Maurice Ignatius Keane, who won 51 international caps, died from cancer aged 62.

A Kerry man, Mr. Keane had first excelled as a young Gaelic footballer — winning three Sigerson Cup titles while playing for UCC. His early forays into rugby had to be under the name of ‘Moss Fenton’ because of the then GAA ban on “foreign games”.

It was rugby which was to become his life-long passion and which brought him to international attention.

He made his international debut in 1974 against France in Paris. His efforts helped the team to go on and clinch the Five Nations Championship that year. 

In 1977 he toured New Zealand with the Lions, making one test appearance and playing in a total of 12 tour matches.

It was in the following year that Mr. Keane enjoyed what he regarded as his proudest rugby-playing moment when he was a member of the Munster side which defeated the All Blacks 12-0.

He was a key member of Ireland’s Triple Crown-winning side of 1982.

Among those to pay tribute was Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen who said: “Moss Keane was one of the finest rugby players Ireland has ever produced. He was among rugby’s best-known characters and a legend of the game at home and abroad.”

The President of the IRFU, Mr. Caleb Powell, said: “Quite simply Irish rugby has lost one of its most genuine characters and legends of the game”.

Mr. Keane’s Funeral took place in Portarlington, Co. Laois.

 

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