O'Keeffe, John
January 08, 2013
Clonaslee mourn O'Keeffe
Clonaslee-St Manman's GAA club and the broader community of Clonaslee are in shock following the sudden and untimely death of John O'Keeffe.
John started his hurling career as an U-12 fullback in 1963 when he played in a county U-12 hurling final. He then went on to play as a sterling corner back on the 1968 team which won the JHC in Laois. He also won medals on the 1969 Intermediate team and played in the 1970 senior hurling final which Clonaslee lost to Clonad.
Clonaslee won the North Laois SH championship in 1974 with John on board but lost the county final to Camross. John by now was an experienced hurler and was made captain of the 1975 Clonaslee senior hurling team. He made history in 1975 as the first Clonaslee man to accept the Bob O'Keeffe cup when Clonaslee won the SHC in Laois for the first time since 1910. John continued hurling with the club and won an Intermediate championship in 1982.
John also won U-21 championship medals with Camross. He also represented Laois in Minor, U-21 and senior hurling, he was a true local hero. A shy man, he embodied the spirit of Knocknagow. John was laid to rest in Clonaslee last Saturday after a massive funeral attended by GAA people from far and wide, the building community, and a large crowd of family and friends.
The funeral cortege was accom- panied by a guard of honour from Clonaslee-St Manman's GAA Club and Camross GAA club. Clonaslee St Manman's GAA club members wish to express their deepest sympathy to Mary, his wife, his brothers, Richie, Denis, Frannie, Connie and Ciaran, his sister Mel, and the O'Keeffe Family
Ni fheicfear a leitheid aim aris. Beannacht De lena anam dhilis.
Courtesy of Leinster Express
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