Tributes paid following the passing of Cork football legend Kevin Kehily

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, his niece Lisa and a number of GAA clubs posted their condolences on social media.

RIP KEVIN KEHILY: Newcestown captain Dan McCarthy with the cup after his side defeated Nemo Rangers to win the Cork County I.F.C. title for the first time in 30 years at Brinny. He is pictured with Kevin Kehily who captained the last Newcestown side to win the title in 1971. Pic: Denis Minihane.

Tributes have been paid following the passing of Cork GAA legend Kevin Kehily.

On Sunday night it was announced that Kehily - a Newcestown clubman that won three provincial football titles with the Rebels in a playing career that stretched from 1969 to 1984 - had died after a long illness aged 74.

Since the news broke, members of his family and the GAA community have been paying their respects to the two-time All-star winner.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: "Deeply saddened at the passing of Kevin Kehily - one of our heroes of the 70s & 80s.

"A brilliant footballer, Kevin was one of the great attacking defenders of his era. As a coach, he was an innovator who brought new dimensions to the game. My sympathies to his family & friends."

Deeply saddened at the passing of Kevin Kehily - one of our heroes of the 70s & 80s.

A brilliant footballer, Kevin was one of the great attacking defenders of his era. As a coach, he was an innovator who brought new dimensions to the game.

My sympathies to his family & friends. https://t.co/aD0szhAN5u

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 19, 2024

Carbery GAA tweeted: "To Kevin’s family, his Club Newcestown, and his many friends throughout Cork and Carbery GAA, we express our deepest condolences. Cork football legend Kevin Kehily passes away."

His niece Lisa posted: "Our fabulous Kevin. Legend of an uncle who always looked out for us & always full of blaggarding & divilment. A great memory of him shouting 'pick it up like a man Lisa' while training my eight-year-old self at Newcestown summer camp. Sleep well Kev."

Newcestown GAA wrote: "RIP Kevin" while Courcey Rovers GAA added: "Courcey Rovers offer our sincere sympathy to the family of Kevin Kehily. Kevin had many friends in Courceys and his contribution as a trainer and coach in the 80s & 90s left a huge impact on the club's fortunes in the years that followed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."