Sad tidings arriving from north Meath with the passing of a Kilmainhamwood legend, Percy McKeever.

The title legend does not come lightly but it truly goes hand in hand when describing Percy McKeever and his sixty year relationship with his beloved Kilmainhamwood GFC.

A towering presence from the old school of footballers, flame haired Percy could field with the best and ran his socks off for the cause around the 'Woods' midfield sector. With his good friend Noel Shankey he formed a powerful partnership over many years.

It is said that Kilmainhamwood's golden era lasted from 1965 until 1996. Two intermediate titles and that elusive Keegan Cup garnered during this spell. A feat that probably no other rural club and with such limited resources as Kilmainhamwood, hemmed in by the Cavan border in most directions, will repeat in many of our lifetimes.

And it is no coincidence that one Percy McKeever, both on and off the field of play, was heavily and always involved in this surge of excellence. We will not see his likes around again.

We let another of his good friends, one who soldiered alongside Percy on the playing fields of Meath, Henry Corbally, take over. 

Kilmainhamwood, all of north Meath and the parish of Kingscourt were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Percy Mc Keever of Ballinaclose Kilmainhamwood after a short illness. Percy attended Kingscourt national school and St Patrick’s Classical School in Navan and worked all his life on the staff of Gypsum Industries. He is survived by his loving wife Mary and their three children Edel, Louise and Percy jnr.

The Kilmainhamwood team that reached the 1978 Meath IFC final. Front l-r: Mick Clarke, Dennis Farrelly, John Farrelly, Percy McKeever, Philip McCormack, Aiden Bennett, Johnny Clarke. Back l-r: Frank Gilsenan, Martin O'Connor, Pat McDermott, Christo Shankey, Henry Corbally, Seamus Reilly, Noel Shankey, Martin Gilsenan.

Percy was truly a legend in Kilmainhamwood football club, having played adult football for 30 seasons. First lining out with the Intermediate championship winning side of 1965 and winding up his career in 1994 on a junior B team which lost a final to Moynalvey. 

He played in four intermediate finals in '65, '76, '78 and '82. And was on the winning side in '65 and '82 against Duleek and Martry Harps respectively. During the era of catch and kick football, Percy was a master of the art and loved the high fielding, long kicking game. Percy was also club treasurer for over thirty years, spanning the period of club development of playing pitch, dressing rooms, astro pitch, running track ect. 

Since July 1994 Percy has been a vital member of what is known as the Lotto Crew. Headed by his great friend and clubman Francis Owens, this group have met every Monday night to sort the tickets, draw the numbers, and pay out the winners. They have raised many tens of thousands of euros for the club and have paid out some very fine jackpot prizes, including one of €19, 500.

Percy’s daughter Louise (now Coyle) played with Meath Ladies football team for many years and he was always immensely proud of her achievements on the playing pitch. As a selector and clubman he was absolutely thrilled when in 1996 he saw his beloved club lift the Keegan Cup.

Percy will long be remembered for his love and devotion to his family, his club and his locality. He remained extremely fit and was playing handball, a game that he loved, only six weeks past.

He will be sadly missed by his family and by all who knew him. Percy McKeever's Funeral Mass took place in Kingscourt church this morning Tuesday, June 1st..His coffin draped with his number 9 jersey was flanked by his family and his team and club mates. 

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

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