TWO-TIME Gaelic football All-Star Kevin Kehily has passed away at the age of 74.
The Newcestown club man had been suffering from illness.
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The 74-year-old lined out for his county between 1969 and 1984, however, he missed their senior All-Ireland triumph of 1973 as he had stepped away from the panel to focus on his studies.
He did finish his career with three Munster Championship medals though.
They were won in 1971, 1974 and 1983.
Renowned as a fearsome defender, he earned All-Star nods in 1980 and 1982.
Early in his inter-county career he did help The Rebels to the promised land at minor as well as Under-21 level.
Kehily was a passionate hurling advocate too and was even on his county’s coaching team that did manage to attain much glory.
While still an active player with the footballers, he was part of the hurlers’ backroom when they claimed a three-in-a-row from 1974-1976.
In 2013 he was named on the celebratory ‘Stars of the 1980s’ roll of honour for Gaelic football.
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He and the other recipients were recognised on the Croke Park pitch before that year’s All-Ireland decider between Dublin and Mayo.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin paid tribute, saying: “Deeply saddened at the passing of Kevin Kehily – one of our heroes of the 70s & 80s.
“A brilliant footballer, Kevin was one of the great attacking defenders of his era.
“As a coach, he was an innovator who brought new dimensions to the game. My sympathies to his family and friends.”
His niece Lisa paid emotional tribute to her “legend of an uncle”.
She posted: “Our fabulous Kevin. Legend of an uncle who always looked out for us & always full of blaggarding and divilment.
“A great memory of him shouting “pick it up like a man Lisa” while training my 8-year-old self at Newcestown summer camp. Sleep well Kev.”
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Cork GAA fans also shared fond memories.
One posted: “Oh no!! Very sorry to hear this. I went to school and played sports with his son, and Kevin used to also run the summer camps for kids at the old regional tech.
“A nice man, great father, and from what I hear a phenomenal footballer. RIP.”
Another wrote: “A superb footballer in his time. Deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and the wider GAA family. May he Rest In Peace.”