Tributes have been paid to former Meath footballer Denis Kealy who died in a road accident on Saturday.

The 47-year-old Dunshaughlin GAA stalwart was involved in a single vehicle collision at Piercetown, Dunboyne at around 2.30pm. His company Keamc Construction sponsored the Royal Gaels ladies football club, with whom his wife Charlene played.

Poignantly, his death comes just over six months after the passing of his sister Maria, who died from an illness last December.

In a social media tribute yesterday, the Dunshaughlin and Royal Gaels club said: "It is with deepest sadness and a heavy heart that we write on the sudden and tragic loss of Denis Kealy.

"Our sincere condolences to the Kealy family, relatives and friends. As a whole community, we would ask that you remember the family at this very difficult time."

Denis was part of one of Meath GAA’s most famous football families. As well as backboning the great Dunshaughlin team that won a three-in-a-row of Keegan Cups and a Leinster club SFC title at the start of the millennium, the Kealys represented the Royal County with distinction.

The early 2000s were a wonderful time to be a Dunshaughlin supporter and at the heart of the club’s success were the Kealy brothers. Beaten finalists in 1999, the black and ambers bounced back to claim their first Meath SFC title in 2000 on an unforgettable day in Navan. Fittingly, six Kealy’s – Kevin, Dermot, Brendan, Aiden, Richie and Denis – were all on the pitch when Dunshaughlin made the breakthrough following an emphatic victory over Kilmainhamwood. Another brother, Pat, missed out as he was based in the US at the time.

Eamon Barry’s charges retained the Keegan Cup in 2001 at Skryne’s expense and again in 2002 when they trumped Trim in the final. They cemented their greatness by beating Mattock Rangers in the 2002 Leinster club final, which was played just a few days before Christmas at Páirc Tailteann. No Meath club has managed to get their hands on the Sean McCabe Cup since.

The Kealys also excelled on the inter-county stage, with Richie winning an All-Ireland SFC medal off the bench in 1999 and starting the 2001 final against Galway. A few years earlier, Dermot, Brendan, Aiden and Richie lined out together for the Meath juniors. Like Richie, Dermot is the holder of a Leinster SFC medal, while Aiden won a National League medal in 1994. Brendan’s medal haul includes All-Ireland minor and U21 medals.

Youngest brother Denis was an outstanding half back for Dunshaughlin who also wore the county jersey at minor, U21 and senior level. His honours include a Leinster club SFC medal, three Meath SFC medals, two Feis Cups, two Division 1 Leagues and an U21FC medal. In addition, he won an O’Byrne Cup medal with Meath and a Boston SFC title with Aidan McAnespie’s.

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