Roy Keane honours mother Marie with moving eulogy at Cork funeral

The football legend recalls happy childhood, family life and his mother’s strength in an emotional funeral tribute in Cork

The coffin is shouldered from the church after requiem mass at the funeral of Marie Keane at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Roy Keane has paid a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Marie, whose funeral Mass was held this morning in the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree.

The Cork soccer legend delivered an emotional eulogy in what was his mother’s childhood church, halting several times as grief threatened to overwhelm him.

“I know our mam wouldn’t want us to make a fuss today, and I very rarely went against her wishes, but I am today,” he said.

Mourners, including Roy Keane, attending the funeral of Marie Keane at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

He remembered the many roles she had played in life – “wife, daughter, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, et cetera” – noting that “she was pretty good at all of them, but as a mother she excelled”.

He described the moment she had met the man who would become her husband: “Mossie Keane, standing in our living room. She was in love.

“Before she knew it, she married dad and started out married life on Devonshire St, from there moving to Mayfield and eventually having five children of her own.

The coffin is shouldered from the church after requiem mass at the funeral of Marie Keane at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

“I probably should say six, including my dad, because he was spoiled more than any of us,” he said, to laughter.

“We sometimes discussed did me mam have favourites. Denis, obviously being the eldest, it could be him, Pat was the youngest, maybe him, Hilary being the only girl, possibly. I’m not sure where that would leave Johnson and meself, but she was loyal to all of us.

“We had great memories growing up. Our mam didn’t always get us what we wanted, but always gave us what we needed. She was pretty strict with us, and if we were up to no good, she had an amazing skill, a really amazing skill, of throwing a shoe, and no matter where you were in the house, she would always hit the target.

“She took no messing either in the house or on the street.”

The coffin is shouldered from the church after requiem mass at the funeral of Marie Keane at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

He described a happy childhood and recalled summer holidays to Garretstown, which were always special.

“In the evening we would get a bag of chips - we thought life was great, just so simple. They would both be in great form. It was like going to Australia.” 

He also recalled “trips up to Dublin to the All-Ireland back in the days when Cork used to win,” adding that “the only disappointment was our dad telling us once we got up to Dublin that we had no tickets for the match. But you can’t have everything.”

Paying tribute to his extended family and neighbours, he thanked those who had supported him and his siblings through his mother’s illness.

“I have never known a closer family. Your help and support over the last couple of years has been a great example to us all. We will never be able to thank you enough,” he said.

“The turn-out today has not surprised us - our mam always looked out for other people. Not only was she kind and caring but she had a good sense of humour, right up until the end.”

Flowers are placed in the hearse. Mourners, including Roy Keane, attending the funeral of Marie Keane at the Church of the Resurrection, Farranree, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Finishing the eulogy, he said quietly: “What a woman she was”.

“Ultimately, our mam and dad were at their happiest when they were together, and they’re together again.

“God bless, mam, and thanks for everything you did for us.”