SHANNON KEADY, THE daughter of the late Galway hurler Tony Keady, has said Galway’s All-Ireland final win over Waterford was “lonely” without her father.
Tony Keady was a two-time All-Ireland winner in 1987 and 1988 with Galway. He passed away last month following a short illness.
Speaking on The Ray D’Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio One this morning, Shannon Keady said: “It’s been lonely without him, and coming home yesterday after a long weekend… it’s tough.”
Shannon won an Under 16 All-Ireland Camogie final with Galway last month.
A tribute video to Tony was played during half-time in Cork Park at Sunday’s final.
Shannon said:
Seeing the video of him in Croke Park at half-time, and just hanging around the players and the hotel, it does be lonely without him.
Looking back at sporting memories with her father, Shannon said the family used to travel the country to matches together.
“I used to go absolutely everywhere with dad. Anytime the car went out the gate, we were in it,” she said.
“Any match that was on, no matter who was playing, we were up and down the country going to the matches, sure it’s what we loved and what we were always at.”
Shannon told D’Arcy that her father was hopeful of Galway’s chances in this year’s final.
“He has such a bond with those players. He would have had them at club level and underage level. He really believed in them this year and he knew they could do it, but they’re an unbelievable bunch,” she said.
“They’re so tight and you can see it in them and sure it all showed yesterday.”
During his post-match speech, Galway captain David Burke paid tribute to Tony, who passed away at the age of 53.
He said: “To Tony’s wife Margaret, children Shannon, Anthony, Jake and Harry, we hope that lifting the cup today will give you some solace from your grief if only for a few seconds.”
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