Passage GAA Club Hall Of Fame - David Keane
While playing in goal for Passage U-15 hurlers in 1968 as a 12-year-old David Keane showed certain qualities, which marked him out as a player who would make a big impression, in future Passage teams.
Even at that age his glue like hand for fielding a ball and his great bravery indicated he was a cut above the ordinary. As he grew older and bigger not surprisingly he moved out of the goalkeeping position and began to make an impression in various positions from center-back to corner-forward. It was in the latter position that he made his debut for the Cork minors against Waterford in 1974, scoring 5 points from play. The Cork minors went on to claim Munster and All-Ireland titles that year and David Keane went on to become one of the small band of Passage players to get possession of the much coveted Celtic Cross medal.
Just two years later David managed to win another medal, which is very rare amongst Passage players, a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with UCC. He then had the distinction of being selected on the combined Universities team to play the combined Garda and Army forces.
After winning Munster U-21 honors with Cork in 1977 David lost out on another All-Ireland medal when the team lost narrowly to Kilkenny in the final. David would to most people be firstly associated with hurling but was a footballer of tremendous ability and during the glorious days of Passage football 1980 – 1985 he anchored the defence from the No. 6 spot. David had the uncanny ability of being able to outfield any opponent without ever rising off the ground.
Unfortunately David’s work took him to live in Adare in Limerick and what proved to be a huge loss to the Passage club proved to be massive boost to the scenic Limerick town.
Under David’s guidance on and off the field Adare became a major force in limerick senior hurling and football championships to such an extent that David was appointed manager / coach to the Limerick U-21 hurling team. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. In 36 years limerick had garnered just one All-Ireland title but under the stewardship of the Passage man they won three titles in a row from 2000 – 2002.
When the senior county hurling post became vacant at the end of 2002 David was the obvious choice for the job. The Limerick officials and supporters seemingly expected instant success and when this impossible dream was not realized within twelve months David Keane was inexplicably removed from his post. The old phrase “eaten bread is soon forgotten” springs to mind here.
David Keane’s record as a player in Cork and a coach in Limerick will stand the test of time.