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Louth women's football manager dies after short illness

Updated / Tuesday, 5 Jun 2018 23:59
Micheál McKeown passed away at the age of 67.
Micheál McKeown passed away at the age of 67.

Louth women's football manager Micheál McKeown has died at the age of 67 after a short illness.

A statement from the Louth LGFA read: "A Chara, it is with great regret that I bring you the sad news of the untimely passing of Micheál McKeown Louth LGFA Senior Team manager today. We pass our condolences to his wife Mary, his family circle,and his many friends at this very sad time."

The Channonrock native was set to take charge of the senior county team in their Leinster Junior Championship opener with Kilkenny on Sunday, but took ill at his home earlier that morning.

The Dundalk Democrat reports that he was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in a critical condition and passed away just over 48 hours later.

Speaking to the newspaper, Louth ladies County Board chairman Dermot Woods paid tribute to McKeown's memory.

"He was hugely popular among the players and his death will have come as a huge shock. He had huge enthusiasm, he was a bubbly character and was always in good form.

"He took training as recently as Friday night and he was in touch with some of the players as late as Saturday evening to make sure that everybody was in good form and ready for Sunday. He was actually preparing for the match on Sunday when he suddenly took ill."

He added that McKeown, who succeeded Fergal McNally and John O'Leary as manager last October, was 'a man of great integrity' and said that he 'was determined to get whatever he could for the players.'

The 67 year-old guided Louth to a Lidl National Football League Division Four final last month, where they lost out to Wicklow. He previously led Monaghan to an All-Ireland title in 1996.

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