Keating, Dinny

October 14, 2006
The late Dinny Keating The death of Dinny Keating saw the passing of one of the most loyal members of the Cashel King Cormacs. Most of his contribution to the club was made far from the public eye and unknown to many of the members. He was never a man who carved publicity, who sought the public gaze, who looked for accolades on the stage of life. His was a much quieter way, in harmony with his quiet and gentle personality. It is no exaggeration to state that if there were an emergency in Leahy Park, if a wall was knocked down and had to be rebuilt, of a job had to be done in a hurry, Dinny was the man to call on. To any such request his answer would be simple and immediate: "When do you want me?" Dinny came to prominence in the club as early as 1985 when the first FAS Scheme commenced after the new arrangement was made between the club and the old Cashel Sportsfield Committee. A determined effort was made at that time to bring the field up to modern standards and Dinny was part of the scheme under the late Michael Corcoran of Farranamanagh. Tremendous work was done on that and on subsequent schemes, when Dinny took over as supervisor. This is revealed an unexpected side of Dinny. As a supervisor he had a wonderful capacity to get the best out of men. He cajoled and coaxed maximum performances out of them. He had a way with them that they never felt threatened and were always willing to give of their best. The result was of huge benefit to the club. Dinny's contribution was recognised and he was elected a member of the Fiels Committee in 1989 and was to remain a member up to his death. He was a most dependable member and it is difficult to say if his life will be seen again. He was also to be elected a member of the executive committee of the club for six years, and was a member of the juvenile club for a period of three years. Dinny also contributed to the club's county final and Munster title success in 1991 but in the most unassuming role of all who were involved. he was the background man par excellence. He did the preparations for training sessions, getting the dressing rooms right, having the jersey's ready, preparing the tea and sandwiches after the sessions. He revelled in his role, doing everything to perfection. During these years Dinny suffered the loss of his wife, Lilly, who died in 1980 after eleven years of marriage, and had to bring up his family of Tina, Denis and Jackie, with help from his father, Martin. Everyone recognises in them the great qualities they inherited from their parents. Dinny was rightly proud of them and their contribution in life. He was particularly proud of Denis's membership of the very successful minor teams at the end of the eighties, and of winning the Young Clubman of the Year in 1991. He was equally appreciative of Tina's under-12 All-Ireland handball title, and of Jackie's many achievements in handball, especially her under-19 world title, and on the camogie field. He was a wonderful support to them all. Dinny Keating's dying was like his life. He passed away at 11.15 am on a Sunday morning without fanfare, without noise, just quietly and unobtrusively. He will be remembered as a great clubman, a great family man, a great neighbour, above all a gentleman. Cashel King's Cormac's club gave him full honours at his funeral. His coffin was draped in the club colours and a guard of honour was provided at the removal to the parish Church on August 29th, 2006 and for his burial in St Cormacs Cemetery on the following day. Chairman of the club, Ger Slattery, delivered the oration and expressed the clubs sympathy to his children, Tina, Denis and Jackie, as well as to Paul, Finola, DJ and Mary Darmody. Courtesy of The Tipperary Star 14 October 2006

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