The death has occurred in Killarney of Frank Keogh who will be fondly remembered by his peers for his great sporting prowess in a number of codes during his younger years.
He was a crafty forward with Dr Crokes at underage level with his skills set proving a real handful for a succession of opponents and he also made his mark and caught the eye when he turned his attention to basketball and soccer.
Frank captained the St Brendan’s College basketball team in his junior cycle years and his ability on the court was such that he was called up to play for the Munster schoolboys’ team in the inter-provincial championships. His game at that time was greatly enhanced by teacher and coach Tim Regan who was a top class Irish international.
With his family home in Upper Sunnyhill, almost adjacent to St Mary’s Parish Hall, Frank found plenty of opportunity to fine-tune his game on the basketball court in the facility and he picked up many tips and tricks from his near neighbour, former Irish international captain Paudie O’Connor, who was established at the time as one of the best players in Europe.
He was a keen follower of the Gleneagle St Vincent’s sides and marvelled at the impact and dynamism the first American stars like Brian Ulmer, Tony Andre and Arnold Veasley brought to the local courts.
Frank honed his sporting skills in Fitzgerald Stadium and in the vicinity of the Parish Hall as well as across the road in the Arás Phádraig pitch where he enjoyed seven-a-side soccer tournament successes with Moyeightragh, collecting a number of player of the tournament awards in the process.
Sport always played a big part in Frank’s life and he keenly followed the fortunes of Arsenal FC, taking a particular interest in the careers of Ireland stars Liam Brady, Frank Stapleton, David O’Leary and Pat Jennings.
He also retained a keen interest in GAA and loved watching the likes of his Kerry Golden Years heroes John Egan and Mikey Sheehy showcasing their scoring techniques on the big stage.
Born on the Feast Day of St Francis on the fourth day of October in 1966, Francis Keogh was the second youngest of five boys born to Tim and Kathleen (née MacMonagle) who lived at the time in Upper Sunnyhill before the family later moved to Countess Grove.
During his schooldays in the Presentation Monastery and St Brendan’s College, Frank’s academic and intellectual ability shone through and that was quickly recognised by teachers like Brother Carthage in the Mon and Jim Trant in the Sem who nurtured his potential and encouraged him at every opportunity.
Frank experienced health difficulties and challenges in his late teens which stymied his expected progress but he always retained his love of reading, sports and music, with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Status Quo being particular favourites.
He learned the tin whistle at a young age and he loved nothing more than churning out a tune or two, with Roddy McCorley his go-to favourite.
Frank had a very close relationship with his four brothers and thoroughly enjoyed visits from his nephews Donnchadh and Darragh and his niece and goddaughter Selina.
Although he was a man of few words, Frank’s wit, his quick humour and recall of many events in life always shone through.
Softly spoken and a real animal lover, he whiled away many hours in the company of the family dogs Bob and Pudsey and, when his health declined further in recent years, their antics were a source of great joy to him.
Despite bouncing back from previous stints in hospital over the past two years, Frank passed away, in the presence of his four brothers, at University Hospital Kerry in the early hours of Thursday morning, as a result of a short respiratory illness.
He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his brothers Seán, Don, Tim and Eamonn, his nephews Donnchadh and Darragh, niece Selina and grandniece Grace. He is further survived by many relatives, friends and neighbours.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney on Sunday from 4.00pm to 6.00pm will be followed by removal to St Mary’s Cathedral. Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Cathedral on Monday at 10.30am with burial afterwards in Aghadoe Cemetery.
The Requiem Mass for Frank will be live streamed on https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.
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