An underlying aspect of yesterday's All-Ireland final was the sad recent loss of legendary Galway centre-half back Tony Keady.
A 29 year wait for a Galway captain to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup under the Hogan Stand has ended, but it wasn't without a hint of sadness and poignancy. As David Burke mentioned the loss of Tony Keady, his family stood on the field, beside Joe Canning, proud of their county, but without the man who meant most to them.
When Galway last won the All-Ireland in 1988, Keady was Hurler of the Year. He was the centre of perhaps the most famous half-back line in the history of the game, with Gerry McInerney and Pete Finnerty on either side of him.
Off the field too, Keady was one of the great characters of the GAA, and his loss was as hard and sad a loss as the Gaelic games community has suffered in many years.
The 29 year famine is over, but there is a sad reality that Tony Keady never again saw his county lift Liam.
Nice Jersey for the day that's in it #GalwayvWaterford pic.twitter.com/t7A8PRBQUg
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) September 3, 2017
At half time in Croke Park yesterday, the GAA played an incredible tribute to Keady in front of the capacity 82,300 crowd. A lovely touch, and an important honour for one of the greats of hurling.
HT here in @CrokePark at the All-Ireland Hurling Final and right now we're honouring the great Tony Keady of @Galway_GAA #ArDheisDéGoRaibhSé pic.twitter.com/anCYXUBmnL
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 3, 2017
