Tony Keady
Encyclopedia
Tony Keady is an Irish
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Killimordaly and was a member of the Galway
senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
with his local Killimordaly club and enjoyed some success. Kilimordaly won the Galway county championship in 1986.
minor hurling team in the early 1980s. Due to the lack of any credible opposition in Connacht
Galway were given an automatic pass into the All-Ireland semi-final. This happened at minor, under-21 and senior levels. In 1981 Keady lined out in his first minor championship decider. Unfortunately, it was Kilkenny
who were victorious on that occasion. The following year he was a member of the Galway under-21 team. He came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland final against Cork; however, victory went to the Leesiders. In 1983 Galway reached the under-21 championship decider with Tipperary
providing the opposition. The men from the West won the game by three points, giving Keady his first All-Ireland
medal.
Keady subsequently joined the Galway senior panel. He first tasted major success in 1985 when Galway defeated reigning champions Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, a victory which allowed Galway advance to the All-Ireland final. That game was a close affair; however, for the second year in-a-row Offaly
got the better of Galway in the All-Ireland series. In 1986 Keady lined out in his second All-Ireland final. Cork were the opponents on that occasion but Galway were regarded as the red-hot favourites. The favourites tag counted for little as Cork won the exciting game on a score line of 4-13 to 2-15. In spite of losing another championship decider Keady was presented with a coveted All-Star
award. In 1987 Keady captured a National Hurling League
medal before his side reached the All-Ireland final once again. The experience gained in the two previous championship deciders showed against a Kilkenny side that was over the hill. Galway won the game on a score line of 1-12 to 0-9 and Keady collected his first senior All-Ireland
medal. In 1988 Galway reached the All-Ireland final for the fourth consecutive year. Tipperary, the team Galway defeated in the previous year's semi-final, provided the opposition. In a close game Galway emerged victorious and Keady collected his second All-Ireland medal. Not only that but he was presented with the Man of the Match
awards as well as a second All-Star award. Keady also finished the year by collecting the Texaco Hurler of the Year
title.
While Keady was now regarded as the best hurler in the country, all of this was about to change in 1989. Shortly after collecting a second National League title Keady travelled to the United States
to play an exhinition game for Laois
against Tipperary. This was common practice at the time and the Galwayman was assured that he was eligible to do so. It later transpired that Keady had been wrongly informed and that he had played illegally. When he returned to Ireland the Games Administration Committee of the Gaelic Athletic Association
decided to make an example of Keady and he was banned from playing for a year. This threw Galway's plans of capturing a third title in-a-row into disarray. The team even considered withdrawing from the championship, however, in the end they decided to play, albeit without the services of Keady. An ill-tempered All-Ireland semi-final saw Tipperary defeat Galway for the first time since 1971. In 1990 Galway reached their fifth All-Ireland final in six seasons. Just like in 1986 Cork provided the opposition and, once again, Galway were regarded as the red-hot favourites. Keady's side gave a brilliant first-half display and went seven-points up at one stage. In spite of this, Cork fought back to secure a victory on a score line of 5-15 to 2-21. It was one of the highest-scoring All-Ireland finals ever. Keady retired from hurling shortly afterwards.
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured two winners medal in this competition in 1986 as Connacht defeated Munster
and again in 1991 after a defeat of the same team.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
retired sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Killimordaly and was a member of the Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
senior inter-county team in the 1980s and 1990s.
Club
Keady played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local Killimordaly club and enjoyed some success. Kilimordaly won the Galway county championship in 1986.
Inter-county
Keady first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the GalwayGalway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
minor hurling team in the early 1980s. Due to the lack of any credible opposition in Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
Galway were given an automatic pass into the All-Ireland semi-final. This happened at minor, under-21 and senior levels. In 1981 Keady lined out in his first minor championship decider. Unfortunately, it was Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
who were victorious on that occasion. The following year he was a member of the Galway under-21 team. He came on as a substitute in the All-Ireland final against Cork; however, victory went to the Leesiders. In 1983 Galway reached the under-21 championship decider with Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
providing the opposition. The men from the West won the game by three points, giving Keady his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of hurling played in Ireland...
medal.
Keady subsequently joined the Galway senior panel. He first tasted major success in 1985 when Galway defeated reigning champions Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, a victory which allowed Galway advance to the All-Ireland final. That game was a close affair; however, for the second year in-a-row Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
got the better of Galway in the All-Ireland series. In 1986 Keady lined out in his second All-Ireland final. Cork were the opponents on that occasion but Galway were regarded as the red-hot favourites. The favourites tag counted for little as Cork won the exciting game on a score line of 4-13 to 2-15. In spite of losing another championship decider Keady was presented with a coveted All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
award. In 1987 Keady captured a National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
medal before his side reached the All-Ireland final once again. The experience gained in the two previous championship deciders showed against a Kilkenny side that was over the hill. Galway won the game on a score line of 1-12 to 0-9 and Keady collected his first senior All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal. In 1988 Galway reached the All-Ireland final for the fourth consecutive year. Tipperary, the team Galway defeated in the previous year's semi-final, provided the opposition. In a close game Galway emerged victorious and Keady collected his second All-Ireland medal. Not only that but he was presented with the Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
awards as well as a second All-Star award. Keady also finished the year by collecting the Texaco Hurler of the Year
Texaco Hurler of the Year
The Texaco Hurler of the Year is a hurling award, created in 1958, that honours the achievements of a hurler of outstanding excellence. The award is part of the Texaco Sportstars Awards, in which Irish sportspeople from all fields are honoured....
title.
While Keady was now regarded as the best hurler in the country, all of this was about to change in 1989. Shortly after collecting a second National League title Keady travelled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to play an exhinition game for Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
against Tipperary. This was common practice at the time and the Galwayman was assured that he was eligible to do so. It later transpired that Keady had been wrongly informed and that he had played illegally. When he returned to Ireland the Games Administration Committee of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
decided to make an example of Keady and he was banned from playing for a year. This threw Galway's plans of capturing a third title in-a-row into disarray. The team even considered withdrawing from the championship, however, in the end they decided to play, albeit without the services of Keady. An ill-tempered All-Ireland semi-final saw Tipperary defeat Galway for the first time since 1971. In 1990 Galway reached their fifth All-Ireland final in six seasons. Just like in 1986 Cork provided the opposition and, once again, Galway were regarded as the red-hot favourites. Keady's side gave a brilliant first-half display and went seven-points up at one stage. In spite of this, Cork fought back to secure a victory on a score line of 5-15 to 2-21. It was one of the highest-scoring All-Ireland finals ever. Keady retired from hurling shortly afterwards.
Provincial
Keady also lined out with ConnachtConnacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured two winners medal in this competition in 1986 as Connacht defeated Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
and again in 1991 after a defeat of the same team.