Rugby hero Moss Keane passes away

Rugby:Irish rugby legend Moss Keane has passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer. The iconic Munster, Ireland and Lions hero, a native of Currow in Co Kerry, was 62.

Keane, who lived in Portarlington, Co Laois, played 51 times for Ireland. He was a member of the famous Munster side that defeated New Zealand 12-0 at Thomond Park in 1978.

A former GAA player – he represented Kerry up to U-21 level and won the Sigerson Cup while at college in UCC – Keane was a relative latecomer to rugby but the big man made an immediate impact in the secondrow.

He won his first cap for Ireland against France in 1974 and would win 50 more over the next decade, and was a key member of the side that claimed the Triple Crown in 1982.

He was also capped for the British and Irish Lions during the doomed tour of New Zealand in 1977. Reflecting on the highlight of that tour, Keane remarked: “Hearing that Kerry had beaten Cork in the Munster final.”

“Quite simply Irish rugby has lost one of its most genuine characters and legends of the game,” IRFU president Caleb Powell said this morning. “Moss had ability on the field that no one could doubt from his record at club, provincial and international level. Lansdowne, Munster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions all benefited from his presence and ensured that his reputation will live long in the memories of not only Irish rugby, but world rugby.

"My own memories of Moss were his great belief in the ethos of the game which was evident in how he treated players from all levels in our club Lansdowne. It did not matter whether you were an Ireland international or playing for the third B's, he always had time for everybody in the club and he will be sorely missed.”

Ollie Campbell, a long-standing teammate of Keane’s, said: “A light has gone out in Irish sporting life today."

“Moss enriched every one’s life that he came into contact with these past 62 years. Rugby people don’t just have the Moss Keane story they have Moss Keane stories. There are many and they are all humorous. He just had a way about him — he was a one off. Certainly, he was one of the most loved Irish internationals.

“Never dropped in 11 seasons, Moss used to say that he saw off a lot of secondrow partners. Even if he had a bad game it was always his partner that got dropped but the longevity of his career was a tribute to his durability. He was a much better trainer than he would take credit for.

A statement from Munster Rugby read: “It is with profound sadness that Munster Rugby today learned of the death of Moss Keane after a brave battle with illness over the past 18 months.

"All the attributes that made him such a distinguished rugby player, for Munster, Ireland and the Lions were mirrored in his life away from the rugby field.

“His was a friendly, compassionate though humourous nature and it made him such a well loved character. The courage and tenacity he showed on the rugby fields of the world were just as evident in the way he dealt with his illness.”

Kevin Fitzpatrick, president of the Leinster Branch, added: “It is sad that he was taken from us early, but he fought a prolonged illness with the aggression and the fervour which typified his very existence as a player.

“A larger than life figure and a gifted sportsman which reflected in his abilities both at Gaelic football and the game of rugby, where he made his name, he was a great friend to many and his passing will be both sadly missed and fondly remembered by a generation of rugby followers in equal measures.”

Keane is survived by his wife Anne and his two daughters Sarah and Anne Marie.